Saints TE's upcoming surgery opens door for Jimmy Graham return

While ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the "hope and belief" is that Johnson will be ready for the start of the 2024 campaign, that's obviously up in the air.

The undrafted 27-year-old finished tied with Graham and wide receiver A.T. Perry for second on the Saints in receiving touchdowns (four) last season and was fifth in targets (59), receptions (37) and receiving yards (368). Johnson started 11 of the 13 games he appeared in last season, led all tight ends on the squad in targets, catches and receiving yards and finished only behind star running back Alvin Kamara, All-Pro wideout Rashid Shaheed, stud wide receiver Chris Olave and former Pro Bowler Michael Thomas in each category.

New Orleans has Swiss army knife Taysom Hill, former Las Vegas Raider Foster Moreau and undrafted Arizona State product Tommy Hudson (who hasn't played since 2021) behind Johnson on their depth chart. Depending on Johnson's recovery, Graham could very well find himself back on the Saints roster this summer.

The 2013 First Team All-Pro signed a one-year contract with New Orleans in July and finished last season with career lows in targets (seven), receptions (six) and receiving yards (39), but four of his half dozen catches found the end zone. Graham ranks fourth among tight ends and 16th all-time with 89 career receiving scores.