The New Orleans Saints completed voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) a week ago last Thursday and had mandatory minicamp from Tuesday, June 11, to Thursday, June 13. The Saints will have a month and a half off until training camp begins.
The Saints’ free-agent acquisition missed OTAs and mandatory minicamp because he’s recovering from an injury.
The New Orleans Saints’ free-agent acquisition is recovering from an injury
Chase Young suffered a stinger injury to his neck during the Washington Commanders’ preseason opener last season. The injury caused Young to miss the first game of the 2023 season, but he managed to play the last 16 regular season games and three playoff games.
Young underwent neck surgery in March and has missed off-season workouts, OTAs, and mandatory minicamp.
The Saints received an encouraging injury update.
The New Orleans Saints received an encouraging injury update on their Pro Bowl DE
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Young received a positive injury update from Dr. Robert Watkins.
“#SaintsDE Chase Young, who underwent offseason neck surgery, received a positive report from renowned neck specialist Dr. Robert Watkins in a check-up this week, per source. He’ll undergo more tests in about six weeks, but he plans to participate in training camp.”
Chase Young isn’t the only defensive end who’s injured
Tanoh Kpassagnon will be out for most, if not all, of the 2024 season with an Achilles injury.
The Saints’ defensive end depth got weaker with Kpassagnon’s injury.
The New Orleans Saints DE depth got weaker
The Saints’ depth at defensive end got weaker due to the injuries to Young and Kpassagnon.
Their projected starters are Carl Granderson and Cameron Jordan. Granderson is coming off his best statistical season as a pro, recording 78 tackles, 14 TFLs, and 8.5 sacks. Jordan is coming off one of his worst statistical seasons as a pro, recording 43 tackles, three TFLs, and two sacks.
Their top two backups, excluding Young and Kpassagnon, include Payton Turner and Isaiah Foskey. Turner has missed 36 out of 51 possible regular-season games because of injuries and healthy scratches and hasn’t been effective when he’s played, recording 29 tackles, eight TFLs, and three sacks. Foskey didn’t play much as a rookie, playing ten games and recording nine tackles in 83 defensive snaps.
The Saints cannot afford any more injuries to their defensive ends. Granderson, Jordan, and Young must stay healthy all season.
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