RADIO
Jordyn Tyson Questionable for Week 9
New Orleans Saints rookie first-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is considered questionable to come off Injured Reserve to make his NFL debut on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, according to Saints reporter Jeff Nowak. Tyson was able to put in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday, but it is unclear if he upgraded to a full practice on Friday, and it remains uncertain as to whether he will be cleared to make his NFL debut this weekend. While the eighth overall pick from Arizona State should be rostered in most fantasy football leagues now that he is on the verge of a return, we would caution that he will be an extremely volatile starting option in fantasy lineups if he is activated from IR on Saturday and plays on Sunday. The Saints will most likely ease Tyson back into their offense across from Chris Olave. When Tyson finally returns, both Devaughn Vele and Bryce Lance are expected to see less playing time.
Source: Jeff Nowak
Source: Jeff Nowak
Tyler Shough's Passing Production Declines Entering Week 9
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough enters Week 9 struggling to maintain his early-season production. Shough averaged 301 passing yards and 45 attempts over his first four games but has averaged just 173 yards and 31 attempts over his last three. The second-year quarterback reportedly suffered two broken bones in his non-throwing hand during Week 4 but has continued playing. Shough threw for 278 yards, one touchdown and an interception against Pittsburgh in Week 7 before the Saints' bye. His four-touchdown performance against the Giants in Week 6 showed his remaining upside, but reduced passing volume has made his fantasy production inconsistent. Rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson returned to practice this week and could provide another weapon if activated. RotoBaller ranks Shough QB14 for Week 9 against Cleveland, making him a risky streaming option against a strong Browns pass defense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Olave's Fantasy Value Trending Down After Recent Struggles
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has slipped down the fantasy ranks after three-straight lackluster performances. In seven games this season, Olave has hauled in 49 of 71 targets for 636 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 14.3 half-PPR fantasy points per game. However, since Week 5, Olave has recorded only 14 receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown, a steep decline from his incredible four-game stretch to begin the season. Now, rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is ramping up toward a return, which could reduce Olave's target share moving forward. Tyson had an incredible training camp, and with his high draft capital and immense talent, he will take targets away from Olave. While the fifth-year receiver is sure to continue amassing fantasy points, his struggles, along with Tyson's eventual return, should negatively affect Olave's value moving forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordyn Tyson Limited in Practice Again on Thursday
New Orleans Saints rookie first-round tight end Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Thursday for the second straight day, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. However, Underhill added that Tyson does not look limited as he tries to convince the coaching staff that he is ready to come off Injured Reserve to make his NFL debut in Week 9 on Sunday against the visiting Cleveland Browns. The Saints are not going to rush the 22-year-old back, though, and they may require him to put in a full practice before they seriously consider activating the young pass-catcher from IR. If Tyson is active this weekend for his first NFL game, he will be an extremely risky option as a fantasy starter in his first game, which could come with a strict snap count. But eventually, Tyson is expected to develop into the Saints' WR2 across from Chris Olave, which makes him stash-worthy in most fantasy football leagues. When he returns, it will knock Devaughn Vele's fantasy stock down as a potential flex option in deeper fantasy leagues. Tyson has major upside, but his floor also remains low due to a lengthy injury history from his college days.
Source: NewOrleans.Football
Source: NewOrleans.Football
Alvin Kamara Back at Practice Thursday
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (back) returned to practice on Thursday, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. Kamara is battling a back injury, but it appears he could be trending toward playing in the Saints' Week 9 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The veteran running back has not been particularly effective in 2026, recording 258 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns on 63 touches across six games. However, Kamara recorded seven catches for 57 yards in the Saints' final game before their Week 7 bye. With Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. still on Injured Reserve due to a hamstring issue, Kamara and Kendre Miller appear likely to split backfield work in Week 9 for New Orleans.
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
Source: NewOrleans.Football - Nick Underhill
Jordyn Tyson Feels "More Explosive Than I Ever Have"
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) told reporters that he feels "more explosive than I ever have" after returning from his hamstring injury. He said "I ran the fastest I ran since I been here in rehab...So I think I'm doing pretty good. I think I'm doing just fine." Tyson injured his hamstring in joint practices this preseason and was placed on IR. He was designated for return from injured reserve this week, and he could make his NFL debut as early as this week against the Browns, although the team has not officially addressed his status. The first-round pick has great fantasy upside in a pass-heavy offense, and is a great addition from the waiver wire or via trade if he's available. He could need time to adjust to the league, but will likely take targets and playing time from Devaughn Vele as the Saints' second receiver.
Source: Pro Football Talk
Source: Pro Football Talk
Travis Etienne Jr. Still Isn't Practicing
New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) will not have his practice window opened yet, Jeff Nowak of WWL Louisiana reports. Head coach Kellen Moore confirmed Etienne won't have his practice window opened on Wednesday, but he's hopeful that Etienne can practice this week. The 27-year-old has missed the required four games after being placed on the Injured Reserve due to a strained left hamstring. He's not on the field to begin the week, so it seems unlikely that Etienne will be ready for the Week 9 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Fantasy managers should aim for Etienne to be ready for the Week 10 matchup versus the Carolina Panthers.
Source: Jeff Nowak
Source: Jeff Nowak
Jordyn Tyson Limited in his Return to Practice on Wednesday
New Orleans Saints rookie first-round wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) had his 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve opened on Wednesday, and he was listed as a limited participant in practice. Ongoing hamstring issues landed the 22-year-old on IR before the start of his rookie season in the NFL, but he has a chance to be officially activated later this week and make his debut in Week 9 at home against the visiting Cleveland Browns this Sunday. When fully healthy, Tyson was drafted to serve as the team's No. 2 pass-catcher across from Chris Olave. Tyson's return will be bad news for those who have Devaughn Vele rostered, but the rookie is not guaranteed to return this weekend. The Saints will likely ease Tyson into the offense when he returns, which will make him a risky play initially, but the young pass-catcher's upside makes him worth stashing in all fantasy leagues with his return on the horizon. Tyson is currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues, but that number will rise drastically once he is officially activated off IR, which could come as soon as this Saturday.
Source: NewOrleansSaints.com
Source: NewOrleansSaints.com
Juwan Johnson's Slump Could Linger with Return of Rookie Teammate
After a hot start to the season, New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson has not reached 20 receiving yards in a game since Week 4, totaling just five catches for 23 yards in his last three outings before the team's Week 8 bye. With first-round rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) reportedly returning to practice after starting the year on injured reserve, Johnson could soon face additional target competition with no obvious end to his slump in sight. New Orleans faces Cleveland in Week 9, and while the Browns have been an average matchup for fantasy tight ends, Johnson is RotoBaller's TE21, with more viable streaming options likely available on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordyn Tyson Set to Return to Practice Wednesday
New Orleans Saints rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) is set to return to practice Wednesday, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. The eighth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft has spent the entire regular season on injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury during training camp in August. Tyson has yet to make his NFL debut, and his availability for Sunday's Week 9 matchup against the Cleveland Browns remains uncertain. Head coach Kellen Moore said Monday that the team was still evaluating when to resume Tyson's practice activities, making Wednesday's development an encouraging step in his recovery. Devaughn Vele has established himself alongside Chris Olave during the rookie's absence, catching 33 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns in seven games. Tyson could eventually compete for a significant role in New Orleans' passing attack, but his lengthy absence makes an immediate fantasy contribution difficult to project. He is worth considering as a speculative bench stash in deeper leagues.
Source: Nick Underhill
Source: Nick Underhill
Charlie Smyth Now Listed as Saints' Starting Kicker
The New Orleans Saints' depth chart now lists Charlie Smyth as the starting kicker, even though he is not technically on the active roster, according to Saints reporter Jeff Nowak. The Saints cut veteran Daniel Carlson on Tuesday, and it looks like the 25-year-old Smyth is going to get the next chance to serve as New Orleans' starting placekicker as they come off their bye to face the Cleveland Browns at home this Sunday in Week 9. Smyth made his NFL debut last year with the Saints and went 12-for-16 on his field-goal attempts (4-for-6 from 50-plus yards out) and 13-for-13 on his extra points in six games played. He missed only a 56-yarder in the preseason for the Saints but still lost out on the starting job to the more experienced Carlson. Even if Smyth is officially named the Saints' new kicker, fantasy managers should be avoiding the Ireland product for this week and going forward.
Source: Jeff Nowak
Source: Jeff Nowak
Saints Claim Audric Estime Off Waivers
The New Orleans Saints have claimed running back Audric Estime off waivers from the Cleveland Browns, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. Estime appeared in one game for Cleveland this season, recording nine carries for 19 yards and a touchdown in Week 6 against the Baltimore Ravens. New Orleans is very familiar with the 23-year-old back, as he recorded 46 carries for 198 yards and a touchdown across seven games with the Saints in 2025. New Orleans RB1 Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) is eligible to return from Injured Reserve in Week 9, but the team's addition of Estime could signal that Etienne Jr. is likely to remain sidelined for at least one more week. If Etienne Jr. is not yet healthy, Estime could split backfield work with Saints backs Kendre Miller, Alvin Kamara, and CJ Donaldson (shoulder). New Orleans also plays Cleveland in Week 9, so claiming Estime from the Browns could be a bit of gamesmanship on the part of the Saints.
Source: KPRC 2 Houston - Aaron Wilson
Source: KPRC 2 Houston - Aaron Wilson
Saints release kicker Daniel Carlson
The New Orleans Saints have released kicker Daniel Carlson, according to Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Carlson has had some issues so far in 2026, converting just eight of his 12 field goal attempts and 16 out of 18 extra point tries. The 31-year-old has been solid from shorter distances, but he's made just three out of his seven attempts from 50-plus yards out this season. 25-year-old kicker Charlie Smyth is currently on the Saints practice squad and could be in line for a promotion to the active roster ahead of New Orleans' Week 9 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Smyth appeared in six games for New Orleans last season, making 12 out of 16 field goal attempts and all 13 of his extra-point tries.
Source: The New Orleans Times-Picayune - Luke Johnson
Source: The New Orleans Times-Picayune - Luke Johnson
Devaughn Vele a Better Deep-League Fantasy Option for Week 9
New Orleans wide receiver Devaughn Vele has had a pretty solid season to this point, but a tough matchup and the possible return of a teammate make him a better deep-league option in Week 9. Vele has hauled in 33 of his 46 targets so far, going for 348 yards and three touchdowns. He had 54 yards and a touchdown across five receptions and targets in his last appearance in Week 7. He's been the team's WR2 behind Chris Olave, but rookie Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) could return this week, which could bump Vele down another peg or two. The Week 9 matchup against Cleveland is also below average, so that's another thing working against Vele, and that's why he's a better option in deeper fantasy leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Travis Etienne Jr. Could Return to Practice This Week
New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) will be looked at on Monday with the intent of judging whether or not he will have a chance to return to practice on Wednesday, head coach Kellen Moore told Ross Jackson of Locked on Saints. Etienne is eligible to return from Injured Reserve this week after straining his left hamstring in the loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 27. The 27-year-old had an extra week to recover during the team's bye in Week 8, so he might be back in action this weekend as the team takes on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Fantasy managers need to be mindful that even if Etienne has his 21-day practice window opened this week, it does not necessarily mean he will return to New Orleans' backfield this weekend to take on the Browns. When Etienne does return and is back to full health, he is expected to take over lead-back duties from veteran Alvin Kamara, at least on early downs. The former first-rounder by the Jacksonville Jaguars had 30 carries for 128 yards (4.3 yards per attempt) and no touchdowns, adding 11 catches for 51 yards as a receiver in his first three games with the Saints this year before landing on IR.
Source: Locked On Saints - Ross Jackson
Source: Locked On Saints - Ross Jackson
