Payton Turner is not a quarterback or a tight end, even if those were some of the less-than-confident guesses by some young Saints fans during an event at Lusher Charter School this week.
The 2021 first-round pick out of Houston is, of course, a defensive end. Though his rookie NFL season was limited to just 5 games due to injuries, making the trivia question understandably difficult during the New Orleans Saints Play Football event Turner was hosting Tuesday afternoon.
Turner led drills, signed autographs and even guided students to hit a tackling dummy that was wearing a Tom Brady jersey.
“That’s about the only [Brady] jersey in the city, probably," Turner said. "It’s been great. Kids have a great energy, they’re happy to be here, I’m happy to be here. They just radiate positivity so I’m happy to be around them.”
The event was a pitstop in what's been a busy offseason for the young pass-rusher, who says he's healthy and has been working all but six or so days since the end of the 2021 season.
Turner's rookie season had some nice moments, particularly in a Week 2 loss against the Carolina Panthers, but he was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury after Week 9 and did not return in 2021, ending with 1 sack and 12 tackles. He admits the injuries that ended his rookie season early were "super frustrating," but he's focused on something else heading into Year 2.
"A lot of stress, but stuff happens," Tuner said. "It’s just how you come back from it that matters. So that’s what I’ve been focusing on is the comeback moreso than the actual injuries and everything. So that’s where my head is."
If that comeback goes the way the young edge rusher hopes, this time next year the Payton Turner trivia will probably draw more confident answers.
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MORE FROM PAYTON TURNER
HOW HAS THE OFFSEASON GONE?
“Great. Been doing rehab, getting back right. Getting ready to go out for the season. I’ve missed about 6 days this whole offseason, since the end of the season. So I’ve been grinding.”
WHERE ARE YOU LOOKING TO IMPROVE FROM YEAR 1?
“All around. Pass-rush consistency I think is my biggest thing, because I feel I was a little inconsistent last year. I had ups and downs, which I think is something that a lot of rookies may struggle with. And then going into that second year is kind of that jump that I’m hoping for, that I’m working towards. So that’s what I’m looking forward to.”
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ON TYRANN MATHIEU'S RETURN TO NEW ORLEANS
“Awesome. Awesome for the city. Awesome story. He’s big, I’ve heard, about community outreach, especially being his city, so that’s awesome for him. … I’m excited to have him on the team, it’s going to be awesome for us.”