The New Orleans Saints are set to play without their highly touted rookie wideout, Jordyn Tyson, for an extended period.
A report from NFL Media indicates that Tyson is expected to be sidelined for about eight weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in a training camp session last week. He has been meeting with medical experts and may start the upcoming season on the injured reserve list while he undergoes rehabilitation.
Although Tyson has dealt with recurring hamstring problems during his college careers at Colorado and Arizona State, the NFL Media update clarified that this particular issue seems to be a fresh injury unconnected to his past physical setbacks.
“As I understand it, any player who finds himself in that scenario—where your footing gives way and you get pushed from the rear—would face this. This is completely separate from Jordyn’s medical background,” explained Saints head coach Kellen Moore back then, according to ESPN. “Almost any athlete in that exact spot would likely end up with the same diagnosis.”
Losing him is a major setback for New Orleans, who drafted Tyson with the eighth overall selection in the recent NFL Draft. The first-year receiver was projected to partner with standout pass-catcher Chris Olave, offering sophomore quarterback Tyler Shough a formidable tandem to stretch opposing secondary lines, and he had been putting on a show during the Saints’ summer practices.
Who steps up in Tyson’s place?
With Tyson sidelined, the secondary receiver responsibilities will probably shift to DeVaughn Vele, who stepped into that position following the mid-year trade of Rashid Shaheed to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Vele recorded 25 receptions for 293 yards and a pair of scores last season, racking up 20 of those catches and 254 yards over the final five matchups of the year.
New Orleans also rosters Tyson’s fellow classmates from the 2026 draft, fourth-rounder Bryce Lance and sixth-rounder Barion Brown, to bolster their depth chart behind Olave and Vele. One of these young players might step forward to claim a significant role during Tyson’s lengthy recovery period, which is projected to extend into October.
Alternatively, the Saints might explore the free-agency pool to bolster their receiving corps. For instance, former Chargers target Keenan Allen is still unsigned; back in 2023, he pulled in 108 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns under Moore, who served as Los Angeles’ offensive play-caller at the time.
However, Allen has now reached 34 years of age and is coming off a campaign in which he registered a career-worst average of 45.7 receiving yards per contest after returning to Los Angeles. While he might not be the most exciting candidate to slot into Tyson’s position on the roster, he could provide a veteran presence to stabilize the unit until the rookie is healthy, should the front office take that route.
Latest developments: Reports indicate Allen is poised to agree to a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts.
The trade market offers another potential avenue. Rumors have circulated that Patriots pass-catcher Kayshon Boutte might be on the block, particularly with New England’s surplus at the position following their trade for A.J. Brown and the signing of Romeo Doubs. However, Boutte is reportedly turning heads in camp, which might make New England hesitant to deal him away.
Ultimately, the most probable scenario involves the Saints waiting for Tyson to fully recover, anticipating his return at 100 percent about a month into the regular season. Nonetheless, it represents a disappointing start to Tyson’s professional journey, especially considering the glowing reviews he was earning during summer practices.
