It hasn't appeared to be a baptism by fire for New Orleans Saints tackle Taliese Fuaga, because the team's first-round draft pick has shown a level of skill, poise and cool that have projected comfort from Day 1.
Even moving from right tackle in college to left tackle in the NFL hasn't appeared to phase Fuaga, who will make his fifth start for the Saints (2-2) as they enter their Monday night game against the Chiefs (4-0) at GEHA Field in Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
Fuaga has played 98 percent of the team's offensive snaps and been cited for three penalties – one holding infraction – this season, and game film often has revealed him paving paths with clearing blocks and protecting quarterback Derek Carr with a combination of strength and agility.
"I'd say I've played all right," Fuaga said. "A lot of things I've got to clean up, technique-wise and maybe a little bit playbook-wise. Just little things like, how could this step be better or how could my hands be better. Just little stuff like that.
"But I think I'm doing all right for myself because it's more than I expected as a rookie."
Meanwhile, he has been nothing less than what New Orleans expected when it made him the 14th overall pick.
In training camp, Saints defensive linemen cited Fuaga's patience, fluidity and ability to correct and not repeat mistakes.
"It's just, I think it's just a confidence thing when you get out there," he said. "College to NFL, obviously it's a big difference but I think a lot of it just comes from being confident in yourself.
"I think my confidence has gotten better just because I've been able to go against guys like (Saints defensive ends) Chase Young and Carl Granderson, especially Carl. He plays physical every day. You don't have to ask him to go hard at practice."
That'll come in handy Monday night against the Chiefs. Kansas City defensive tackle Chris Jones, a five-time All-Pro, leads the Chiefs with three sacks this season and has 29 sacks, 64 quarterback hits and 33 tackles for loss in his last 37 games.
"I think we have a gameplan for him," Fuaga said. "We already know where 95 (Jones' number) lines up and wherever he goes, we're going to have to have a plan for that.
"He's just a great player. Wherever he lines up we're going to have a plan for him."
For Fuaga, it'll be a chance to shine in his first Monday night game as a pro.
"Very excited," he said. "It's a blessing, but it's definitely a big game ahead of us. Great guys on that D-line. You've got (defensive end George) Karlaftis and Mr. Jones over there. We've just got to stick to the plan and do our job out there."
ROSTER MOVES: The Saints on Friday waived receiver A.T. Perry, the team's sixth-round pick last year, and signed center Connor McGovern to the active roster. Starting center Erik McCoy was placed on injured reserve after suffering a groin injury against Philadelphia on Sept. 22, and Shane Lemieux, who started against Atlanta on Sunday, didn't practice Thursday or Friday due to an ankle injury.
McGovern was a fifth-round pick by Denver in 2016 and has 91 starts (78 at center) in 102 career games. In 2022 he played every snap for the Jets and last season he started all seven games he played at center for the Jets before a season-ending knee injury.
PRACTICE REPORT: In addition to Lemieux, Taysom Hill (ribs), Willie Gay Jr. (hand), Cesar Ruiz (knee), Payton Turner (knee) and Lucas Patrick (groin) did not practice Friday. Patrick was a new addition to the injury report.
Limited participants were Demario Davis (hamstring), Fuaga (back/knee), Alvin Kamara (hip/ribs) and Bryan Bresee (ankle).
