Another promising member of the New Orleans Saints offense is officially done for the season.
Wide receiver Devaughn Vele has officially been moved to injured reserve due to a shoulder injury suffered during the win over the Panthers. Vele joins rookie RB Devin Neal, who was placed on IR Thursday due to a hamstring injury. The Saints have signed kicker Charlie Smyth into that open roster spot.
The injury ends what was an impressive multi-week run as he emerged as a top target for Tyler Shough in the offense following multiple departures from the WR room. The Saints acquired Vele late in the preseason in a trade with the Denver Broncos. The big-bodied WR was lightly used early in the season as he acclimated to the new system and navigated a hip injury, but he had a breakout game in a close loss to the Dolphins and logged 16 catches for 202 yards and a touchdown over the past three games.
Vele's absence will place more pressure on WR Chris Olave to deliver as the top target, as well as TE Juwan Johnson in the passing game. The Saints have also signed WR Kevin Austin from the practice squad, with Mason Tipton and Dante Pettis also providing depth options. Tipton has been listed as questionable for the matchup after missing the final two practices of the week due to an illness.
The Saints officially ruled out 3 players for the Week 16 matchup with the Jets. Here's how that report broke down on Friday:
LP = limited participation; FP = full participation; DNP = did not participate
- RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- OT Asim Richards (ankle): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- RG Cesar Ruiz (ankle): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- S Justin Reid (knee): LP | FP | FP
- DT Nathan Shepherd (ankle/knee): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- QB Tyler Shough (hip): FP | FP | | FP
- DT Davon Godchaux (NIR-rest): n/a | DNP | FP
- WR Mason Tipton (illness): n/a | DNP | DNP - questionable
- TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden (knee): n/a | n/a | LP - questionable
The Saints will be without RB Alvin Kamara for a fourth consecutive game, meaning the backfield will be led by a RB duo of Audric Estime and Evan Hull, both of whom were added to the practice squad midseason and were signed to the active roster amid injury attrition. The Saints could also turn to Taysom Hill for RB duties, and have signed veteran Nyheim Hines to the practice squad.
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RG Cesar Ruiz has also been ruled out, with William Sherman expected to fill in for his first start of the season. Sherman has seen reps each of the last two weeks in relief at both right guard and right tackle. Asim Richards will miss a second consecutive game due to an ankle injury.
The positive news will come in the secondary, with veteran safety Justin Reid not listed with an injury designation and expected to return to the lineup after a two-game absence due to a knee injury suffered on the first defensive snap against the Dolphins.
On the Jets side of the injury report three players have been ruled out. Both Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor have been listed as questionable, but it'll be UDFA Brady Cook drawing a second consecutive start. Here's how their situations stacked up on Friday:
- LB Kiko Mauigoa (neck): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- TE Mason Taylor (neck): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- DL Eric Watts (concussion): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- QB Justin Fields (knee): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- QB Tyrod Taylor (groin/knee): LP | LP | FP - questionable
- RB Breece Hall (knee): FP | FP | FP - knee
- DE Jermaine Johnson II (neck/calf): FP | FP | FP
- OL Josh Myers (ankle): FP | FP | FP
- OL Xavier Newman (knee): FP | FP | FP
- OL Joe Tippmann (ankle): FP | FP | FP
- DL Jay Tufele (shin): FP | FP | FP
The Saints (4-10) host the Jets (3-11) at noon, Sunday inside the Caesars Superdome for the final home game of the 2025 season. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.