2026 Injury Report
Reid (concussion) was a full participant in New Orleans' practice Wednesday.
Reid is closer to making his return after sustaining a concussion during the Week 7 loss to the Steelers. The 2018 third-round pick will still have to clear the league's concussion protocol in order to be eligible to play in Sunday's matchup versus the Browns. If he ends up being unable to play, Lorenzo Styles will likely start at safety in his place.
Donaldson (shoulder) was limited in Wednesday's practice.
The running back went down with the injury in the Saints' pre-Week 8 bye loss to the Steelers in Paris back in Week 7. With Travis Etienne (hamstring) still on injured reserve and looking unlikely to play Sunday against the Browns, New Orleans added Audric Estime to a backfield that also includes Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller.
Kamara (rest/back) didn't practice Wednesday.
The Saints cited rest and a back injury -- the latter of which impacted his practice reps in each of the three games before the team's Week 8 bye -- as the reasons for Kamara's absence to begin Week 9 prep. During that three-contest stretch, he tallied 27 touches for 137 yards from scrimmage and one receiving TD. Kamara will have two more opportunities to practice this week and put himself in a position to avoid a designation for Sunday's contest against the Browns.
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The Saints designated Banks (ankle) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Banks was limited in Wednesday's session, his first of the 21-day practice window. The Saints' left tackle was injured in Week 2 against the Ravens and underwent surgery for his high-ankle sprain.
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Tyson (hamstring) had his 21-day practice window opened and was a limited participant in Wednesday's session.
The rookie first-round pick hadn't practiced since Aug. 13 due to a right hamstring strain, but he's closing in on making his NFL debut now that he's officially had his 21-day window opened. Given that he's beginning Week 9 prep with a limited practice following a lengthy layoff, Tyson may not be in play to be activated for this Sunday's game against the Browns. The Saints will see how Tyson looks in practice the next two days before deciding on his availability for the Week 9 game.
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New Orleans Saints ·
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Head coach Kellen Moore said Wednesday that the Saints haven't opened Etienne's (hamstring) practice window just yet, Jeff Nowak of WWL Louisiana reports.
Etienne has missed the required four games on IR due to a strained left hamstring, but even with the benefit of a Week 8 bye, he hasn't gained clearance to mix into drills. Moore told Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana on Monday that Etienne has a chance to return to practice this week, but with no on-field work to begin Week 9 prep, he seems to be on the outside looking in to have enough time to be activated for Sunday's contest against the Browns.
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Tipton (leg) was moved to the reserve/PUP list by the Saints on Sunday.
Tipton underwent tibia surgery in the offseason, and as a result, he opened training camp on the active/PUP list, ultimately failing to play during the preseason. The wide receiver will now be forced to miss at least four contests to open the regular season, and the earliest he'd be able to return to action is Week 5 versus the Vikings on Oct. 11.
The Saints placed Matavao (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Matavao sustained a knee injury during Saturday's 34-0 preseason loss to the Rams. The tight end's placement on IR means he will miss the entirety of the 2026 regular season unless he is waived with an injury settlement. Matavao logged three catches for 34 yards in Saturday's game and seemed to have a good chance to make the 53-man roster.
The Saints placed Chandler (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Chandler suffered a season-ending knee injury during Saturday's preseason game against the Rams. The running back has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the entirety of the 2026 season. The Saints added Zamir White in a trade with the 49ers to make up for the loss of Chandler.
Wright (hip) was put on injured reserve by the Saints on Monday.
The cornerback suffered a hip injury earlier in training camp that will now require season-ending surgery. White logged 35 special-teams snaps for New Orleans in 2025, but he did not record a tackle.
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New Orleans placed Saldiveri (knee) on its reserve/physically unable to perform list Tuesday.
Saldiveri is apparently still working his way back onto the field from the knee injury he suffered back in December of 2024. As it stands, he'll now have to miss at least the first four weeks of the 2026 campaign.
Ruiz (knee) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice.
Ruiz missed the Saints' pre-bye game against the Steelers in Paris, but the two weeks off were apparently enough to get him ready for Week 9 against Cleveland.
Shepherd (illness) practiced in full Wednesday.
Shepherd hasn't played since Week 4 but appears ready to return for Sunday's game against the Browns. He has 12 tackles (three solo), including 0.5 sacks, across 175 defensive snaps this season.
Werner finished Sunday's loss to the Steelers with eight tackles (three solo).
Werner had a two-game streak of double-digit stops snapped, but he was still plenty productive. The veteran linebacker dealt with a neck injury in early October but appears past that issue, as he's played every Saints defensive snap in three straight contests. Werner leads New Orleans with 54 tackles (including 2.0 sacks) through seven games.
Sanker posted nine tackles (seven solo) in Sunday's Week 7 loss to Pittsburgh.
Sanker recorded his second-highest tackle tally of the campaign to lead New Orleans in that category. The second-year defender has now tallied six or more stops in five of his seven games this season. With 44 tackles through seven contests, Sanker is easily on pace to surpass the 80 stops he notched in 17 games as a rookie.
