Saints player receives the news he desperately wanted to avoid before the preseason concludes

Oct 13, 2024&semi; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA&semi; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle John Ridgeway III (95) during warmups before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Caesars Superdome&period; Mandatory Credit&colon; Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Saints player receives the news he desperately wanted to avoid before the preseason concludes

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Adam Holt | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 10:11 PM ET

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The New Orleans Saints have stayed rather healthy for the most part this offseason, compared to recent seasons. Of course, even I should probably knock on wood after saying that. That being said, a recent injury for the team's defense

John Ridgeway dealing with injury

According to head coach Kellen Moore, depth defensive lineman John Ridgeway has a pectoral injury. He did not reveal the severity of the injury or a potential timetable for return for Ridgeway. This creates a bit more intrigue in the depth along the DL for the Saints entering their final preseason matchup.

John Ridgeway has a pec injury, Kellen Moore said.
— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) August 19, 2025

This is a tough blow and bad timing for the defender. Ridgeway is firmly on the roster bubble for the Saints and missing the final preseason game could seal his fate as a roster cut just before the season opener. The Saints acquired Ridgeway from the Washington Commanders last year.

Saints in regular-season mode, so media only got access to positional drills

RB Devin Neal was back. Didn’t see CB Alontae Taylor, DB Terrell Burgess, G Trevor Penning, DT John Ridgeway or TEs Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau

Spencer Rattler appeared to be first in line in QB reps
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) August 19, 2025

Defensive line roster bubble

For Ridgeway, it was already a potentially uphill climb for him to make the active roster to begin the season. As far as defensive tackles go, Nathan Shepherd, Bryan Bresee, Davon Godchaux, and Khristian Boyd seem like the most likely candidates to keep their spot on the roster. Ridgeway is listed as a third-stringer on the latest unofficial depth chart for the Saints, behind Shepherd and Bresee at his particular DL spot.

Ridgeway is close to part of that group but probably sits alongside Jonathan Bullard, Jonah Williams, and Jayden Peevy as interior players who may be on the outside looking in. At maximum (most likely), one of those four will make the roster for Week 1. Rookie Vernon Broughton is also in the mix and his draft cost/pedigree will certainly keep him on the depth chart to start the campaign for Brandon Staley's unit.

All in all, Ridgeway may have played his last down in a game for the Saints. Only time will tell, though.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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