New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee will likely be out for the entire 2026 NFL season after suffering what is believed to be a torn ACL during the first practice of training camp
Bryan Bresee is feared to have torn his ACL(Image: Getty Images)
New Orleans Saints star Bryan Bresee is feared to have torn his ACL during the first practice of training camp, with the defensive tackle likely to miss the entire 2026 NFL season if the worst is confirmed.
All 32 NFL teams have reported to training camp, with New Orleans kicking off its first practice on Wednesday at its facility in Metairie, Louisiana. However, during the first practice of camp, Bresee is feared to have torn his ACL, a devastating blow to the Saints.
The 24-year-old suffered a non-contact knee injury, according to second-year Saints head coach Kellen Moore. It comes after the Kansas City Chiefs saw two of their players dealt season-ending injuries, while Cincinnati Bengals star Shemar Stewart was also carted off the field on Wednesday.
According to Moore, Bresee's injury "doesn't look great."
Speaking during an interview on WWL radio, the Saints head coach said, "No one kind of ran into each other, no one fell on anyone. It was just kind of a goofy deal where obviously something unfortunately happened. It’s a tough one."
Initially, Bresee, drafted in the first round by the Saints out of Clemson in 2023, did not realize he was injured, according to Moore.
"It took a little bit, I think, for him to realize what it felt like," Moore added. "It felt like a little bit of something, and then once they checked it out, obviously, we’ll continue to finalize all that, but it doesn’t look great."
While the Saints have yet to confirm if Bresee has torn his ACL, it has been reported that he is likely done for the 2026 season, just a few months after New Orleans picked up his fifth-year option for 2027 worth $13.9 million.
Posting on X, ESPN insider Ian Rapoport wrote, "Saints DT Bryan Bresee, one of the linchpins their defense and a rising star, is feared to have suffered a torn ACL, per me and Mike Garafolo. While tests are ongoing, it's likely the former first-rounder is done for the season."
It would not be the first time either that Bresee has suffered a torn ACL, having previously torn his left ACL back in 2021 while at Clemson.
Bresee suffered a non-contact injury on the first practice of training camp(Image: Getty)
While losing Bresee is a hammer blow to New Orleans heading into the 2026 season, Moore anticipates his absence serving as an opportunity for someone to step up for the Saints.
"We obviously have to have other guys presented opportunities and certainly those guys will have to take advantage of that," Moore said.
"Bryan will do everything he can to recover and come back as strong as he possibly can."
