The Saints could be getting defensive reinforcements.
New Orleans Saints DE Payton Turner has been activated from injured reserve by the team. This was initially reported by NFL Insider Aaron Wilson on Friday afternoon. Turner was sighted at practice but will not play this Sunday against the New York Giants, according to John Hendrix of the Saints News Network.
Turner now has a 21-day practice window in which he can be activated. He has been on injured reserve since suffering a toe injury in the season opener against the Tennessee Titans. Turner is in the third year of his four-year rookie contract, with a base salary of little under $1.8 million in 2023.
New Orleans made Turner the 28th pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Houston. Over his final three collegiate seasons, Turner had 9.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss. He shot up draft boards with his combination of power and athletic ability.
Injuries have limited Turner to only 14 of a possible 47 games over his three seasons with the Saints. When able to play, his contributions have been well below expectations. However, he’s flashed potential with three sacks, six QB hits, 12 pressures, and eight tackles for loss as a rotational defensive end.
The 6’6″ and 270-Lb. Turner is a long-limbed athlete with solid power and explosive ability. He had a strong training camp and preseason this offseason. It led many to believe that he was on his way to a breakout campaign before yet another injury put him out of action.
Turner, 25, will not play this Sunday when the 6-7 Saints take on the 5-8 Giants. New Orleans plays the Rams, Buccaneers, and Falcons over the last three weeks of the year. The Saints are currently in a three-way tie with the Buccaneers and Falcons for first place in the NFC South.
If activated, Turner could possibly help a New Orleans pass rush that is among the worst in the NFL. The Saints have just 23 sacks, third fewest total in the league. They’ve also had massive struggles against the run, giving up the most rushing yards in the league over the last eight weeks.
Be the first to comment