Ty Chandler’s move to New Orleans was supposed to give him a clean slate. Instead, it may have taken a brutal turn before the regular season even arrived.
The former Vikings running back flashed right away for the Saints, breaking loose for an 86-yard kick return in the team’s first preseason game. But that momentum didn’t last long. In New Orleans’ second preseason game, a 34-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Chandler reportedly went down with a knee injury that NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill said Monday "is feared to be serious."
That’s a tough break for Chandler, especially with Alvin Kamara also dealing with a knee injury. There had been a path for Chandler to matter early in the Saints’ offense, but now there’s even a real possibility he won’t suit up at all during the 2026 campaign.
Chandler’s NFL story has already been shaped by injuries and depth-chart squeezes. Minnesota picked him in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft because of his speed - his 4.38-second 40-yard dash stood out - and Kevin O’Connell hoped he could eventually grow into the role of the team’s burner after Dalvin Cook.
His rookie year never really got rolling. A thumb injury limited him to three games. In 2023, though, Chandler finally got a fuller look: he played in all 17 games, made four starts, rushed for 461 yards and three touchdowns, and added 21 catches for 159 yards.
Even with that jump in production, the Vikings still moved on in a sense. They signed Aaron Jones in the 2024 offseason, a clear sign they viewed Chandler as a useful No. 2 rather than a long-term centerpiece. With Jones handling most of the work, Chandler got only 62 touches in 2024 and finished with 224 total yards.
Minnesota doubled down on that message in 2025 by bringing Jones back and trading with the San Francisco 49ers for Jordan Mason. Chandler opened that season as RB3, and a knee injury in Week 1 cut his year down to just three appearances.
Now the same issue has followed him to New Orleans. After finally landing a fresh start, Chandler is once again facing a knee injury that could keep him out for a long stretch. Given the report from Monday, it looks a lot like this one could sideline him just as long as the one that interrupted his 2025 season.
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Vikings Suddenly Have A Bigger J.J. McCarthy Problem Than Expected
The Vikings preseason has brought more uncertainty than clarity, and it is not just about what happens behind center. J.J. McCarthy has drawn concern for a perceived step backward in his development, while the roster around him has also looked thinner than expected, especially on the edge where Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel need help that does not appear especially plentiful. Analysts Darren Campbell and Dave Stefano have both raised questions about McCarthys progress, and the timing matters with the final preseason game looming before the August 30 cut-down deadline.
Minnesota is still sorting through a wider set of issues than a typical August evaluation, with Brian Flores remaining in the building while his discrimination lawsuit continues to hang over the organization. The quarterback conversation is the one drawing the most attention, but the Vikings broader challenge is just as important: finding enough dependable answers in a market where veteran edge rushers are scarce. The next few days should offer a clearer read on where McCarthy stands, and whether the team has enough around him to avoid turning one concern into several. [Read more 🡒]