GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 13: Tackle Terron Armstead #72 of the New Orleans Saints talks with quarterback Drew Brees #9 during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 13, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Saints 31-19. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Playoff hopeful has already suffered a crushing, season-ending blow

He's "heartbroken."

The New Orleans Saints suffered a devastating loss on the offensive line after starting left tackle Terron Armstead tore his labrum during practice.

Armstead signed a five-year, $65 million before the 2016 season, but he has suffered several injuries throughout his career. He has missed games the last three seasons due to injury, but he did make the Pro Bowl in 2015.

The Saints drafted Armstead in 2013 out of Arkansas Pine-Bluff.

Related: Former Super Bowl champion returns to practice less than a year after devastating injury

The Saints drafted tackle Ryan Ramcyzk out of Wisconsin with the No. 32 overall pick of the NFL Draft, and Ramcyzk might have to protect Drew Brees' blind side sooner than he expected.

After three consecutive 7-9 seasons, Brees and the Saints were expecting to make a playoff push in 2017. The injury to Armstead doesn't derail their chances, but it doesn't help matters either.