METAIRIE, La. (BRPROUD) — The Saints officially placed center Erik McCoy on injured reserve Wednesday after having surgery for a groin injury he suffered in Week 3. McCoy will miss at least four weeks. McCoy's injury is a massive blow to the Saints offense. He’s the highest-graded offensive lineman in the NFL by Pro Football Focus this season. The Saints may also be without right guard Cesar Ruiz on Sunday. Ruiz missed practice Wednesday with a knee injury. It’s unclear who will play at center against the Falcons. Left guard Lucas Patrick is an option. He filled in Sunday against Philadelphia and played center last season for the Bears. The Saints could also look to Shane Lemieux, who they signed off the practice squad to the active roster Wednesday. Regardless of who plays, the Saints need everyone to step up Sunday. Louisiana teen plans to use MMA loss to train better, keep chasing UFC career dream “I'll be honest, it doesn't really matter how I feel one way or the other," Saints head coach Dennis Allen said. "Like this is what we're doing. We got to go out and do it. And so, I feel confident in our guys being able to go out and execute and do their job. The players that are filling in have to step up and play well. The players around them have to step up and play well." "You can't, you don't just get rid of Erik McCoy and replace him with somebody," said Derek Carr, Saints quarterback. "But we have a job to do. And our guys, they came to work today with a purpose. I think the intensity and the mindset, and the realization of the situation was important to our guys, and it was nice to see.” The Saints aren’t the only team in the NFL dealing with offensive line injuries. The Falcons will also be without their starting center Drew Dalman who was placed on injured reserve this week and their right tackle Kaleb McGary did not practice Wednesday with a knee injury.  Latest News New Orleans Saints adjusting after placing Erik McCoy on injured reserve Baton Rouge organizations gather for National Day of Remembrance for Homicide Victims North Baton Rouge family still recovering after Hurricane Francine New York City Mayor Eric Adams indicted on federal criminal charges: sources Democrats try to censure Rep. Clay Higgins for slandering Haitians in social media post