Terron Armstead is the only left tackle currently on the Saints' roster.

Saints LT Terron Armstead will undergo "minor" hand surgery Tuesday morning.

Armstead, the 75th pick in April's draft, appeared in four games as a rookie -- including the playoffs. He was dominated by Greg Hardy in his debut but stepped up and played well on Drew Brees' blind side in the postseason. Armstead should be ready for OTAs and has a firm grip on left-tackle duties for 2014.

Coach Sean Payton said Monday rookie Terron Armstead will "absolutely" remain the Saints' starting left tackle going forward.

Armstead got torn up by Greg Hardy early in Sunday's loss, but improved as the game went on and that's what the coaches want to see. Payton said he was "extremely encouraged" by Armstead's in-game improvement. The Saints play the Bucs in Week 17, and Payton says he'll approach it "like a playoff game."

Making his first NFL start in Sunday's Week 16 loss to Carolina, Saints third-round pick Terron Armstead coughed up three sacks and committed two false start penalties.

The Saints benched Charles Brown for Armstead, who was part of a line that served up six sacks of Drew Brees against the Panthers. Armstead had lots of trouble against Panthers RE Greg Hardy early, but settled in some later in the game. "I felt like he played great, and our line played great," Brees said. "Some of those sacks were on me, just getting the ball out."

The Saints will start third-round LT Terron Armstead in Sunday's Week 16 game at Carolina.

Coach Sean Payton is taking no prisoners as he tries to get the Saints' ship pointed back in the direction of the Super Bowl. He cut K Garrett Hartley on Tuesday and has now stripped Charles Brown of his starting job. A favorite of the draftnik community, Armstead is a freakish athlete who set the Combine record for offensive linemen by running a 4.71 forty. The question will be how ready he is after playing his college ball at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. We'll find out quickly as he makes his first NFL start against the Panthers' fearsome front seven.

Saints LT Terron Armstead has leapfrogged Jason Smith on the depth chart, and is now running behind only Charles Brown.

Smith has been having a rough camp, so it's hardly a surprise. Armstead could easily jump Brown before camp is through, but the Saints are wisely taking things slowly with their third-round pick. Brown has made just eight career starts. Armstead is the more talented player.

Third-round pick Terron Armstead is the considered the favorite for the Saints' left tackle job.

Armstead worked the first-team offense throughout OTAs and will enter training camp as the leading candidate to protect Drew Brees' blindside. He should face little in the way competition from injury-prone Charles Brown and Jason Smith.

Saints OT Terron Armstead has bulked up to 315 pounds after starting the summer at 306.

One of the questions about Armstead coming out was his "anchor," and the added weight should help make him a more powerful player at the point of attack. Alex Marvez reports the rookie has been running with the first-team throughout OTAs, and considers him the favorite to start over Charles Brown and Jason Smith.

Saints OT Terron Armstead has been getting reps with the first-team in OTAs.

With oft-injured Charles Brown working his way back from another minor injury, Armstead and mega-bust Jason Brown have been rotating at left tackle. With Brown being an unrealistic option, the battle to start will be between Brown and Armstead. Brown should be favored to win, but another injury could open the door for the rookie to win the job.