Report: Saints' Armstead to have shoulder surgery, out 4-6 months
New Orleans Saints star left tackle Terron Armstead is set to undergo surgery for a torn labrum Monday and is expected to miss four-to-six months, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Armstead suffered the injury during minicamp Wednesday, added Rapoport.
That would put Armstead's best-case return after the Saints' Oct. 15 bye, while the worst case falls near the end of the regular season.
It's a huge blow to an offensive line already without center Max Unger, though Unger's expected to recover from a foot injury by Week 3 of the preseason.
Armstead made the Pro Bowl in 2015 thanks to an outstanding campaign, but missed nine games last year due to multiple injuries.
New Orleans drafted Ryan Ramczyk in the first round this season, and the rookie could replace Armstead in the lineup. Alternatively, the Saints could slide Zach Strief to left tackle and insert Ramczyk at his vacant spot.
Either way, the quality of Drew Brees' protection will take a severe hit.