The Saints got through the early part of training camp with fewer soft tissue problems than they’ve dealt with in the past, but Week 1 still brought a few hits to the roster.
The biggest blow remains Bryan Bresee, who is out for the season with a knee injury. Bresee was supposed to be a major piece of the defensive line, and this was the kind of year that could have shaped his future in New Orleans.
Instead, the injury shuts him down for the year and leaves the Saints with a tougher path up front. It also raises the stakes for Bresee next season, when he’ll be in a contract year and will need to show he can bounce back and improve if he wants to stick around.
There are a few other names on the report, though none carry the same weight as Bresee’s absence. Christen Miller is dealing with a minor toe injury and is listed as day-to-day.
Miller had already worked through injury issues before camp, but he had been healthy since then and remains an important part of the defensive line picture, especially at nose tackle. He’s viewed as the likely heir apparent to Davon Godchaux, so every day he stays on the field matters.
Kendre Miller is also day-to-day, this time with a back injury. The Saints’ running back depth needs to hold up if it’s going to survive the cut process, and health has been a recurring issue for Miller. Behind Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne, the competition is expected to be tight, and another setback won’t help his case.
The final update involves guard Jeremiah Wright, who is working through a shoulder injury. Wright has been one of the more encouraging camp stories so far, performing better than many expected behind Cesar Ruiz.
That made him a useful candidate to develop as a possible option if Ruiz misses time or the Saints decide to make a change. For now, though, the shoulder issue has kept him out.
In Other News...
Saints Injury Pileup Is Raising An Early Roster Concern
The Saints are already dealing with a training camp stretch that has put a little early strain on the roster, with several players sidelined as the team works through the wear and tear of August. New Orleans has been keeping a close eye on the injuries, and the concern is starting to center on depth, especially up front on the offensive line, where every missed practice can matter more than usual.
Chris Olave briefly added to the unease when he left practice with a wrist injury, though he was back on the field shortly after, easing immediate fears. Bryan Bresees situation is far more significant for the defense, and with the club already trying to sort through other camp bumps, the Saints are facing the kind of early roster pressure that can force difficult decisions before the real evaluation even begins. [Read more 🡒]
Saints May Have Found A Cameron Jordan Successor To Watch
One of the more useful exercises this time of year is spotting prospects who fit a long-term need before the draft chatter really takes over, and Minnesota edge rusher Anthony Smith has the look of a player worth keeping on the Saints radar. The appeal starts with the basics: he brings the kind of physical profile teams want on the edge, and his latest season showed real production to go with it, including notable sack and tackle-for-loss totals.
For New Orleans, the attraction is pretty clear. Cameron Jordan has defined that position for a long time, so any future successor has to offer more than pass-rush flashes. Smiths calling card also includes sturdy play against the run, which gives him a broader foundation than a pure edge specialist and makes him an easy fit for a team trying to think ahead without forcing a conclusion too early. This is still only a scouting lead, not a prediction, but it is the sort of name that can stick once the Saints start sorting out their draft board. [Read more 🡒]