The New Orleans Saints are one of the most banged-up teams in the NFL. Things are beginning to turn around, though, after the mini-bye between games against the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers. Only two players didn't practice on the initial injury report. That's the smallest amount of the season.

The Saints are not only getting healthier but also getting healthier at critical positions. The Saints are getting much needed offensive line help even if they'll still be without their best offensive linemen, Erik McCoy.

We rank all of the missing players by impact of the return. The majority of the list is offensive players, which is only right since that side of the ball has been most impacted by injuries.

6. Pete Werner

Pete Werner is the lone defensive player on the list. Since Werner’s injury, it’s been a rotation of players filling in. Even when Willie Gay Jr. is healthy, he still isn’t playing all the snaps. Werner’s return will stabilize the position. He’s also a sure tackler.

5. Cesar Ruiz

Cesar Ruiz is the second offensive lineman on the list. The inability to win in the trenches has kept the Saints offense stifled. Its impact to the run game and pass game makes it arguably the most important flaw to fix on the team. Luckily, that void exists because of injury.

4. Derek Carr

Gaining your starting quarterback would be higher on the list under normal circumstances, but the offense began falling apart before Derek Carr suffered his oblique injury. Spencer Rattler has tried some throws Carr wouldn't try, for good or bad, but Klint Kubiak designed this offense with No. 4 in mind. It’ll be interesting to see how Carr performs without the deep shot to Shaheed being a part of the offense. That has been his go-to move.

3. Taysom Hill

Similar to McCoy, the offense seems to dismantle when Taysom Hill is missing. Hill does so much for the offense that it’s not surprising his void is felt as much as his presence. Having Hill also seems to help the creativity of the offense.

2. Erik McCoy

The center is the glue and leader of an offensive line. That point was only further proven true. Even prior to other injuries happening, the offensive line looked lost without McCoy. Simply put, Erik McCoy is the Saints’ best offensive lineman. Saints fans will have to wait for this return as he will be the last of the bunch to return.

1. Chris Olave

Chris Olave's absence was most felt against the Broncos, because it was compounded by the loss of Rashid Shaheed. Shaheed being out for the season pushed this return to the top of the list. The Saints don’t have another reliable receiver. They need Olave back. He can also help the quarterback by providing an option that gets open quick.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Ranking the Saints' most impactful returns from injury