New Orleans Saints

Saints to start rookie Andrus Peat at left guard vs. Texans

Published Nov. 28, 2015 6:10 p.m. ET

Alex Marvez

The firing of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan isn't the only change New Orleans has made over its bye week.

A source tells FOXSports.com that rookie Andrus Peat will make his first NFL start at left guard ahead of Tim Lelito in Sunday's game at Houston.

A 2015 first-round pick from Stanford, Peat was drafted as a tackle but has received snaps at left guard during regular-season practice and training camp. Lelito has struggled recently and split snaps with Senio Kelemete during the Saints' last game against Washington 13 days ago.

Peat started two games at left tackle earlier this season in place of the injured Terron Armstead before being forced to miss three contests because of a sprained knee. Peat returned to action as a backup against the Redskins.

New Orleans (4-6) was routed, 47-14, by Washington. As first reported by FOXSports.com, Ryan was dismissed the day after with his unit ranking last in the NFL in most points (31.5) and yards allowed (424.3) per game.

Ex-Oakland Raiders head coach Dennis Allen will serve in his first game as defensive coordinator against the Texans. Allen had served as a Saints senior defensive assistant before Ryan's ouster and was the team's secondary coach from 2008 to 2010. Allen was Denver's defensive coordinator in 2011 before being hired by the Raiders.