By Gee Bino | The Who Dat Daily

The New Orleans Saints experienced nearly every emotion possible during Day 9 of their 2026 training camp.

The offense opened practice with impressive efficiency. Several rookie receivers continued their rapid development. The defense responded during situational drills. However, another season-ending injury created a serious depth concern along the offensive line.

Veteran lineman Dillon Radunz suffered a torn ACL during Saturday’s practice. He will miss the entire 2026 season. The injury represents the second torn ACL suffered by a Saints player during camp, following defensive tackle Bryan Bresee’s injury on the opening day.

Nevertheless, Day 9 provided encouraging developments involving Tyler Shough, Bryce Lance, Jordyn Tyson, Barion Brown and several emerging defenders.

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Dillon Radunz Lost for the 2026 Season

The Saints received the difficult news shortly after Sunday’s practice.

Radunz tore his ACL during a one-on-one drill Saturday. The veteran offensive lineman was preparing to receive first-team snaps before suffering the injury.

New Orleans brought Radunz back on a two-year contract after he started 10 games during the 2025 season. He entered camp as the primary interior backup behind starting guards David Edwards and Cesar Ruiz. Radunz also provided valuable positional flexibility.

His absence does not change the starting five. However, it significantly weakens the Saints’ depth.

Ruiz returned to his regular right guard position Sunday after working at second-team center one day earlier. Will Sherman and Easton Kilty handled reserve guard responsibilities. Meanwhile, rookie Jeremiah Wright remains sidelined with a shoulder injury.

The Saints must now determine whether Wright can handle an expanded role once healthy. The fourth-round pick from Auburn has displayed impressive strength during one-on-one drills, but his development remains incomplete.

New Orleans could also explore the veteran free-agent market. Greg Van Roten, Kevin Zeitler, Mekhi Becton, Will Hernandez and Alex Cappa represent potential options. However, the Saints currently possess limited salary-cap space.

A trade could become more realistic once teams begin trimming their rosters.

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Bryce Lance Delivers the Play of the Day

While the Radunz news overshadowed practice, rookie receiver Bryce Lance delivered one of the most impressive offensive performances of camp.

Lance hauled in a perfectly placed deep pass from Spencer Rattler for a touchdown of more than 50 yards. He defeated veteran cornerback Isaac Yiadom on a straight go route and secured the football without breaking stride.

The play demonstrated exactly why New Orleans selected Lance in the fourth round.

At 6-foot-3 and 204 pounds, Lance combines excellent size with 4.34-second speed. More than half of his collegiate receiving yardage came on targets at least 20 yards downfield. He also caught 17 touchdown passes during his final college season at North Dakota State.

Still, his Day 9 performance involved more than one vertical route.

Lance added a catch on an out-breaking route near the sideline. He also secured a difficult pass through contact over the middle. Those plays showed progress in the route-running areas that will determine how quickly he earns regular-season snaps.

The Saints invested heavily in their receiver room during the 2026 NFL Draft. Lance, Jordyn Tyson and Barion Brown have each produced memorable moments during camp.

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Tyler Shough Starts Practice Cooking

Starting quarterback Tyler Shough opened Sunday’s practice by completing four of his first five attempts.

His lone incompletion came on an accurate sideline throw that tight end Juwan Johnson could not secure. Linebacker Danny Stutsman also appeared to disrupt the catch.

Shough’s best moment occurred outside the original structure of the play. He escaped the pocket and located Chris Olave more than 20 yards downfield.

That completion mattered.

Shough has already demonstrated that he can operate Kellen Moore’s offense from the pocket. Creating explosive plays after protection breaks down represents the next stage of his development.

The quarterback’s connection with Tyson also continues to strengthen. Tyson has consistently won routes against defensive backs, while Olave showed no lingering effects from the wrist issue he experienced Saturday.

The Saints’ rookie receivers finished Sunday by catching all nine of their intended targets. Lance, Tyson, Brown and rookie tight end Oscar Delp contributed to that perfect total.

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Defense Responds During Situational Work

The offense controlled the opening portion of practice, but the first-team defense answered during the two-minute period.

The situation gave the offense 1:30 remaining in the first half. New Orleans started at its own 35-yard line while trailing by three points.

Shough completed passes to Johnson and Tyson. However, the drive stalled before reaching field-goal range.

On third-and-8, defensive end Tyree Wilson used his length to knock the football loose as Shough stepped forward in the pocket. The play resulted in a sack-fumble and ended the possession.

Wilson needed that moment. With Cam Jordan sidelined by a hamstring injury, the Saints require Wilson, Anfernee Jennings and the other edge defenders to maximize their additional opportunities.

Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry also continued his outstanding camp. He maintained tight coverage against Olave and has rarely surrendered a clean completion.

Backup slot cornerback Jayden Price strengthened his roster case with another pass breakup. His consistent defensive production and special-teams value make him one of the most interesting players competing for a final roster position.

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Saints’ Kicking Competition Remains Unsettled

The kicking battle between Charlie Smyth and Tanner Brown remains one of the Saints’ biggest unresolved questions.

Smyth converted four of seven attempts Sunday. He missed from 47, 50 and 56 yards, including a 50-yard opportunity at the end of the second-team situational drive.

Through nine practices, Smyth has converted 22 of 29 attempts for a 76% success rate. Brown has made 21 of 25 attempts for an 84% rate.

Brown currently owns the better percentage. Still, neither kicker has completely separated himself from the competition.

The Saints could allow the battle to continue through all three preseason games. They could also monitor kickers released by other teams during final roster cuts.

Special-teams consistency cannot become an afterthought. A team expecting to play several close games needs dependable production in scoring situations.

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Saints Camp Stock Report

Several players have improved their standing through the first nine practices.

Stock Up

• Barion Brown: Producing explosive plays almost daily.
• Tyler Shough: Showing greater command, confidence and efficiency.
• Kool-Aid McKinstry: Playing physical and disciplined coverage.
• Jordyn Tyson: Developing chemistry with Shough while consistently winning routes.
• Bryce Lance: Displaying his vertical ability and expanding route tree.
• Jayden Price: Creating repeated pass breakups and strengthening his roster case.

Players to Monitor

• Charlie Smyth: Must regain the consistency displayed early in camp.
• Kendre Miller: A back issue has caused him to miss several practices.
• Devin Neal: His hamstring injury has interrupted valuable development.
• Christen Miller: The rookie defensive tackle remains sidelined by a toe injury.
• Jeremiah Wright: His shoulder injury has become more significant following Radunz’s loss.
• Cam Jordan: Doctors continue evaluating his hamstring injury.

This second group does not represent a talent judgment. Most concerns involve availability rather than performance.

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Big Q’s Take

Day 9 demonstrated both the promise and fragility surrounding the 2026 Saints.

New Orleans appears to have dramatically improved its young receiving talent. Tyson looks capable of making an immediate impact. Brown has become one of camp’s biggest surprises. Lance possesses rare size and speed. Shough appears increasingly comfortable distributing the football throughout the formation.

However, the Saints cannot ignore their growing injury list.

Losing Bresee damaged the defensive line. Losing Radunz weakened the offensive line’s most important layer of veteran depth. Jordan’s hamstring injury also deserves close attention because of his remarkable history of durability.

The Saints should allow Wright, Sherman and Kilty to compete for larger roles. At the same time, the front office must investigate every available veteran and remain active in trade discussions.

The starting offensive line remains intact. New Orleans must make sure it has enough protection behind that group before the regular season begins.

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What Comes Next for the Saints?

The Saints will take Monday off before returning Tuesday for their final major installation practice.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will then visit Metairie for a joint practice, giving New Orleans its first opportunity to evaluate its progress against an opposing roster.

That session should provide clearer answers about the offensive-line depth, rookie receivers, kicking competition and several important roster battles.

Day 9 delivered chaos, concern and encouragement.

Now the Saints must respond.

Saints Training Camp Day 8: Kellen Moore & Players Speak