New Orleans Saints first-round draft pick Jordyn Tyson is expected to miss approximately two months after suffering a hamstring injury during a joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars last Thursday, according to multiple reports.
The 22-year-old wide receiver, selected eighth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, is projected to be sidelined through at least five games, with a potential return near Week 6 of the regular season. The Saints have not yet confirmed an official timeline, but coach Kellen Moore indicated the injury could force Tyson onto injured reserve to begin the season.
Tyson’s absence comes as the Saints prepare for their season opener, with the team traveling to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants in Week 1 before an international game in Paris as part of the NFL’s International Games series.
Injury Timeline and Team Response
Tyson suffered the injury during Thursday’s joint practice, an incident Moore described as unrelated to Tyson’s past hamstring issues. Moore stated that Tyson had been practicing every day in training camp prior to the injury and was adjusting well to his new team.
"I think my understanding of this one, any player that was put in his situation where your foot slips and you get shoved from behind, this has nothing to do with Jordyn's history," Moore said, per ESPN. "Any player in that situation probably has the same diagnosis coming out of this."
The Saints have not ruled out placing Tyson on injured reserve to start the season, which would allow the team to manage his recovery timeline while preserving a roster spot. The move would not count against the team’s 53-man limit.
Medical Context and Long-Term Concerns
Tyson has a history of hamstring issues, including during his final season at Arizona State, where he recorded 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024. He also dealt with hamstring concerns during the pre-draft process and missed portions of OTAs and mandatory minicamp due to the issue.
While the current injury is not directly linked to Tyson’s prior hamstring problems, some analysts have raised concerns about his susceptibility to soft-tissue injuries moving forward. Nick Underhill of New Orleans.Football noted that Tyson’s recurring issues with ligaments could lead to ongoing uncertainty about his availability.
"The fact that there's ongoing issues with those ligaments is something that's going to have people holding their breath now for a very long time until enough time passes to where we no longer remember to hold our breath and kind of worry about where he's at," Underhill said. "This is a lingering issue, and his talent is unbelievable."
Impact on the Saints’ Offense
Tyson’s absence is a setback for the Saints’ receiving corps, which includes established starter Chris Olave and second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. Shough, who was expected to benefit from a deep target pool, will now have to rely on other options early in the season.
Tyson had been viewed as a key complementary piece to Olave, with his breakout 2024 season at Arizona State (61 receptions, 711 yards, 8 touchdowns in 2025) suggesting high upside. His potential return in Week 6 could provide a boost to the offense as the Saints navigate the early part of the season.
The team has not announced any roster moves in response to Tyson’s injury, but further updates are expected as the regular season approaches.