New Orleans Saints starting center Lucas Patrick is questionable to return to Sunday's matchup against the Carolina Panthers with a calf injury. He was seen limping on his way to the locker room.

Patrick is a notable piece of the Saints' protection up front, entering this game with the most pass-blocking snaps without a pressure allowed in Week 8, according to Pro Football Focus.

The injury bug has bitten the Saints in almost more facets that can be counted so far this season, and it has come within some critical position groups like quarterback and the offensive line.

There are plenty of other reasons outside of this that the Saints have had issues on that side of the ball after opening up the season with an electric offensive effort when they totaled 91 points through the first two games of the year, but this hasn't helped at all.

And a potential additional loss within the O-line like this one certainly doesn't bode well in a close matchup like this one.

The Saints currently trail the Panthers, 17-16 at the start of the fourth quarter in Charlotte.

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This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints center Lucas Patrick questionable to return vs. Panthers with calf injury