Saints Rookie Jordyn Tyson Returns to Practice Following Hamstring Injury

For a New Orleans Saints offense that ranks 28th in rushing yards and has endured slow starts all season, the potential return of rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson arrives at a critical juncture. ESPN reported that Tyson took the field Wednesday in Metairie for the first time since August, logging his first practice since suffering a right hamstring injury during a joint session with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 13—a setback that was originally expected to sideline him for at least two months.

The eighth overall selection in the 2026 NFL draft was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday’s injury report, sharing that designation with left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who also returned following ankle surgery. For a Saints offense that has struggled with slow starts and a lack of run game, Tyson’s return to practice signals the possible season debut of the 6-2, 215-pound receiver whom quarterback Tyler Shough has praised for bringing elusiveness and versatility.

Jordyn Tyson is returning to practice today for the Saints

A Contact Injury, Not a Recurrence

Tyson’s absence stretched nearly three months, though medical projections initially suggested a minimum of two months away. The injury occurred when he landed awkwardly after making a catch during that Aug. 13 practice; he was slow to rise but eventually jogged to the opposite sideline without returning to the drill.

What distinguishes this setback from his extensive college injury history is its specific cause. Tyson told reporters Wednesday that the hamstring issue stemmed from contact rather than a non-contact strain. “It was a contact injury,” he said. “It’s not like I was just running and I just pulled it. A guy pushed me very, very hard, a big dude at that, and kind of just went down on the sidelines.” The Saints organization has maintained that this injury was unrelated to previous hamstring problems he endured at Arizona State, where he missed three games last season with a similar ailment.

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Rehabilitation and Readiness

Throughout his recovery, Tyson has been methodical, and Wednesday he reported running his fastest speed since rehabilitation began. “I feel more explosive than I ever have,” he said. “So I think I’m doing pretty good. I think I’m doing just fine.”

The extended timeline, he suggested, allowed him to adjust properly to the professional level after a delayed start. “Kind of got a slow start to the NFL, so I got to kind of take my time and kind of really adjust to it,” Tyson said, describing the enforced layoff as “a blessing.”

Kelvin Banks Jr. and Jordyn Tyson were limited today Kellen Moore with the injury update from today's practice pic.twitter.com/3pPLxd5m4V

— https://x.com/Saints/status/2118093711066517932

Coach Kellen Moore has been deliberately cautious about rushing the process, emphasizing that medical staff would dictate the timeline. “You just got to let the medical side take its course, and when these guys become available, we’ll continue to build off that plan,” Moore said. “But both guys have been working well and we’ll just kind of let this week take its course. They’re limited today and we’ll see how the rest of the week goes.” Moore noted that reacclimating Tyson to game volume and monitoring how his body responds remain the immediate priorities.

What Tyson Offers a Struggling Offense

Tyler Shough called his new teammate “a dawg” and highlighted the mentality, elusiveness and versatility he brings to the unit. Yet Shough also acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding a player who has not yet taken regular-season NFL reps with the first team. “We haven’t had a lot of reps with him,” Shough said. “It could be even greater than we could imagine, it could be not a significant role as we may think. And both are extremely OK. We have to do a better job as a whole offense.”

Saints Rookie Jordyn Tyson Returns to Practice Following Hamstring Injury — Photo: insider.espn.com

At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Tyson offers physicality in the blocking game that could address one of the Saints’ most pressing needs. He specifically pointed to his blocking ability as an asset, particularly relevant for a team that has struggled to establish the run and ranks 28th in rushing yards. The Saints recently claimed running back Audric Estime off waivers from the Cleveland Browns while waiting for Travis Etienne to return from injured reserve with a hamstring injury that has yet to open his practice window.

When asked what he could bring to the table, Tyson kept his answer grounded in playmaking. “Got to make plays, make plays that we’re not supposed to make, make plays that we’re supposed to make and just try to be as explosive as I can,” he said. “And also I’m a bigger dude — 6-2, 215 — so I think I can block pretty good.”

Jordyn Tyson on return to practice, Tyler Shough | Saints vs. Browns 2026 NFL Week 9

The rookie’s arrival comes with a significant medical history that has defined his football career: he tore his ACL, MCL and PCL in his left knee while at Colorado in 2022, fractured his collarbone in 2024, and sprained his ankle in 2025—an injury that caused him to miss spring practices that year. Because of this history, he did not participate in on-field workouts at the NFL scouting combine, instead holding a private workout for teams while rehabilitating his hamstring. That caution has followed him to New Orleans, where the organization has tempered expectations after so much time away from organized football.

Whether Tyson suits up this weekend remains uncertain, as the coaching staff plans to monitor how he responds to increased practice volume throughout the week.

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More on Jordyn Tyson

"When he gets the ball in his hands, he is different." – Tyler Shough on Jordyn Tyson returning to practice pic.twitter.com/X7U7oEiiKZ

— https://x.com/Saints/status/2118097657306501395