The New Orleans Saints have only just kicked off their training camp slate, but they're already facing a potentially season-altering absence.
Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee suffered a knee injury during the opening practice of camp, with that injury feared to be a torn ACL, according to a report from the NFL Network. Bresee participated in a portion of practice prior to suffering the injury.
Head coach Kellen Moore spoke with WWL Radio Wednesday afternoon and confirmed that Bresee's injury happened in one of the early team periods and looked to be non-contact. (Hear the full interview with Kellen Moore in the player below)
"No one kind of ran into each other, no one fell on anyone. It was just kind of a goofy deal where obviously something unfortunately happened, and so it took a little bit I think for him to realize what it felt like," Moore told WWL's Mike Detillier and Deuce McAllister. "It felt like a little bit of something, and then once they checked it out, obviously we’ll continue to finalize all that, but it doesn’t look great.”
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Trane: It's Hard To Stop A TraneBresee is entering his fourth NFL season after being selected by the Saints No. 29 overall in 2023. He entered the league with significant injury flags due to issues during his time at Clemson, but had largely shed those concerns through the first three seasons of his career. Bresee appeared in 49 of 51 possible games, rolling up 86 tackles and 14.5 sacks. Bresee's athleticism has shined often during that stretch, twice blocked field goal attempts by hurdling the offensive line on designed rushes.
The Saints opted to pick up Bresee's 5th year option earlier this offseason, meaning he'll be under contract for at least one more season with the Saints. The injury would almost certainly cost him an opportunity to earn a lucrative extension prior to Year 5. Saints WR Chris Olave is currently sitting out team drills as he seeks a new contract in a similar scenario.
Losing Bresee would significantly change the look for the Saints on the interior of the defensive line, but they have invested at the position and have options. Veterans Davon Godchaux and Nathan Shepherd remain in the mix, as do rookie 2nd round pick Christen Miller and last year's 3rd-round selection Vernon Broughton, who suffered a season-ending injury during the first game of his rookie season. The Saints also re-signed John Ridgeway during free agency.
"That’s the cycle of the NFL and in a unfortunate but opportunistic way," Moore continued. "Guys unfortunately go through things and they don’t become available and it’s the opportunity for someone else to step up and take advantage. ... And so if Bryan is out for a while, certainly, we’re going to expect a lot of these other guys to take the next step.”
The Saints will return to the field on Thursday for the second day of camp practice.
