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Jordyn Tyson injury an opportunity for other rookie WRs
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Saints' Jordyn Tyson injury an opportunity for other rookie WRs to step up

The New Orleans Saints will be without their top rookie wideout for the start of the regular season, but that could give two more a chance to make an immediate impact.

On Monday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Saints 2026 first-round pick Jordyn Tyson is expected to miss "roughly two months" with a hamstring injury suffered during training camp practice last Thursday (Aug. 13).

That timeline puts him on track to suit up in mid-October, roughly around Week 6, and it's anyone's guess how he'll look upon return. Per reports, Tyson was having a standout camp, but battling back to that level from a hamstring injury in-season will be challenging.

Tyson may all of a sudden be a question mark, but his setback also has ramifications for fellow rookie wideouts, Barion Brown and Bryce Lance, who could be thrust into much larger roles out of the gate.

Jordyn Tyson's absence an opportunity for other Saints rookie receivers to step up

The Saints tripled down at wide receiver in April's draft, selecting Lance, the younger brother of quarterback Trey Lance, in the fourth round (No. 136 overall) and Brown two rounds later at No. 190 after picking Tyson eighth overall.

Both have had strong moments during camp and — as ESPN Saints reporter Katherine Terrell noted on social media — are anticipated to make the 53-man roster at wideout alongside Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele.

Brown was an early star of the Saints camp, seemingly making the rounds on social media daily with a highlight-reel catch. On Aug. 3, NewOrleans.Football's Mike Triplett wrote, "Genuinely think Saints will have to find ways to find plays for him on offense with his dynamic ability."

Head coach Kellen Moore told reporters he was "really fired up" having Brown in the building two days later, and the former LSU Tigers receiver had a promising performance in a preseason Week 1 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, tying for a team-high four receptions for 53 yards, including a long of 28.

Lance, who ran a 4.34s 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, missed Saturday's loss after getting "banged up" while practicing against the Jags but had some impressive reps during the joint sessions. Yahoo Sports NFL analyst Nate Tice wrote that he "was high on Lance during the draft process.

"Even early on," Tice continued, "I think he can add an element to the Saints offense that can break the game open at any time for them."

With Tyson not expected to be part of the team's plans for the first month-and-a-half of the season, his rookie peers may have to pick up the slack. Considering Brown and Lance's promising camp, the Saints might not need to panic.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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