Payton Turner's absence from the first round of Saints OTAs was notable, but it was also part of the plan.
The defensive end underwent an offseason procedure to repair an issue with his shoulder that cut short his rookie season, and he's still in the process of working back to the field, the 2021 first-round pick said. The goal was always to be back ready in time for training camp, and nothing has changed in that regard, though if he's able to get on the field prior to the full camp he'd welcome the opportunity.
“I’m over there breathing on the glass, hand on the glass watching them practice," Turner said. "But at the same time you’ve got to be smart about it and just do it the right way so you don’t have another problem in the future.”
If he does get back on the field early, the next chance for it to be seen will be during the open portion of OTA practice on Thursday, June 2. But the cautious approach appears par for the course for the Saints in terms of players working back from injury, outside of Jameis Winston who is already back on the field as he continues to work back from a knee injury. None of Taysom Hill (lisfranc), Wil Lutz (core), Michael Thomas (ankle), Marcus Maye (achilles) or Jarvis Landry (knee) were active during the first of the team's three OTA sessions, which are voluntary.
Turner was among a handful of those players, including Thomas and Maye, who were at the facility doing rehab or other work despite not getting on the field. DE Marcus Davenport also missed practice but was at the facility last week. Turner is a player the team and fans will be anxious to see more from due to his rookie season ending after just 5 games, but for a team hoping to shift its injury luck this season, a cautious approach is likely the correct one.
The Saints set a record for players started the 2021 season (57), and the near-constant carousel of injuries at virtually every position was as big a factor in their postseason near miss than any other. The team made changes in its strength and conditioning staff, notably bringing in Matt Rhea as Director of Sports Science, with the hope of shifting those injury scales the other direction.
“Just taking time, being smart no rush to get back into OTAs," Turner said. "Everything we do on the D-line is pretty explosive, so just getting back to 100% before I get out there and go full speed.”
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But what should fans expect for the second-year player out of Houston when he does return to the field? Both Dennis Allen and new co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen pointed to improved maturity as it pertains to "being a pro" and understanding what's required of him. It's a learning curve that affects all rookies differently, and it sounds as if it took Turner a bit longer to tackle it. Turner said so himself. His rookie season was a blur, and he's anticipating a more calculated approach in Year 2, with improvements as an all-around rusher.
Allen pointed to "glimpses of a good football player" during his limited run as a rookie. Nielsen said that Turner had been in the facility for several weeks prior to the start of the offseason workouts, and that it's like "night and day" from what he saw a season prior.
"He’s been through the system, he’s played in games, he’s done it all before and so now he already knows the expectations," Nielsen said. "He’s matured mentally, and understands these are the things that I need to do to have success on the field, and he’s doing that. He’s having a great [offseason]."
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The Saints are back to work this week and next for the second and third round of OTAs, and then get on the field for a mandatory minicamp in June. Turner's rehab process will determine at what point in the offseason we'll see him on the field, but when he does get out there, Turner says his personal expectations will be the highest of anyone's. The defensive end group has the potential to be dominant if health breaks in New Orleans' favor. The Saints are returning veteran Cam Jordan and Marcus Davenport, who had a breakout season in 2021 despite injuries, as well as Tanoh Kpassagnon, Carl Granderson and the recently signed Taco Charlton. If Turner can have an impact, look out.
Turner logged 12 tackles and 1 sack as a rookie.
“I don’t think anybody can expect more out of me than I can, so that’s my goal," he said. "That’s how I’m approaching this offseason and this upcoming season. I’m excited.”