The New Orleans Saints expected Jordyn Tyson to spend August building chemistry with Tyler Shough. Instead, their first-round rookie is facing a much longer wait before his NFL debut.
Tyson will miss New Orleans’ preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys on Friday because of a hamstring injury suffered during an Aug. 13 joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars. NFL Network reported that the No. 8 overall pick is expected to miss roughly two months, putting the start of his regular season in serious doubt.
What Happened to Jordyn Tyson?
Tyson was injured when his lead foot slipped as he caught a pass and a defender shoved him from behind. Saints coach Kellen Moore said the injury was unrelated to the hamstring problems Tyson dealt with before the draft, an important distinction given his injury history.
Ian Rapoport reported that Tyson consulted with specialists and could begin the season on short-term injured reserve. A two-month recovery from the Aug. 13 injury would point toward a possible return around mid-October, though Moore has resisted locking the rookie into a firm timetable.
#Saints rookie WR Jordyn Tyson, who has been a standout during training camp, is expected to be out roughly two months with his hamstring injury, per me and @MikeGarafolo.
Tyson, who has been consulting with experts, could begin the season on short-term Injured Reserve. pic.twitter.com/7nJqkTOlS1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 17, 2026
“We’re not going to get stuck on what the timetable is,” Moore said. “We’ll just let him keep getting healthy; we’ll work through it.”
If Tyson opens the season on injured reserve, he would have to miss at least four games before becoming eligible to return. New Orleans opens Sept. 13 at Detroit, followed by games against Baltimore, Las Vegas and Atlanta through Week 4.
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The setback is especially frustrating after Tyson emerged as one of the Saints’ training camp standouts. He was drafted eighth overall following a 2025 season at Arizona State in which he caught 61 passes for 711 yards and eight touchdowns despite missing time.
PFN’s WR Impact Rankings gave Tyson an 81.2 score in 2025, ranking 24th among college receivers.
Saints’ WR Depth Chart Without Jordyn Tyson
Tyson remains listed as a first-team receiver on New Orleans’ unofficial depth chart alongside Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele, but his absence creates a meaningful opening behind that trio.
Bryce Lance is listed directly behind Tyson, while Kevin Austin Jr. backs up Vele and rookie Barion Brown sits behind Olave. Trey Palmer, Ronnie Bell, Bub Means, and Jalen Moreno-Cropper are also competing for roster spots and snaps.
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Rookie Brock Rechsteiner can play Friday but will be suspended for the first six games of the regular season for a PED violation, making him a long shot for the initial 53-man roster.
Lance and Brown had a great training camp, and both should have opportunities to strengthen their cases against Dallas. Austin has also drawn praise from Moore for consistently capitalizing on his chances.
For the regular season, Olave remains the clear centerpiece of the receiver room, with Vele positioned for a major role while Tyson recovers. The Saints hoped Tyson would immediately give Shough another high-end target. Instead, they may spend the first few weeks determining which of their younger receivers can step up and handle those snaps.
Friday’s preseason finale will not answer when Tyson returns. It could help determine who fills the void until he does.
