New Orleans Saints‘ defensive end Payton Turner is facing a challenging setback in his promising NFL career, as he is reported to have suffered turf toe during a recent game against the Titans. This unfortunate injury is expected to necessitate surgery, according to sources close to the situation, adding to the frustration for the talented former first-round draft pick.
#Saints DE Payton Turner is believed to have suffered turf toe in today’s win over the #Titans, an ailment that should require surgery, sources say. A frustrating outcome for the talented former first-rounder. pic.twitter.com/WoYmb1IHuy
Turner, who was selected by the Saints in the 2021 NFL Draft out of the University of Houston, has had his fair share of injury struggles in his early career. In his first two seasons, he was able to participate in just 13 out of a possible 34 games due to various injuries. Despite these setbacks, Turner has shown glimpses of his potential with 3 sacks, 12 pressures, and 8 tackles for loss in those 13 games, totaling 28 stops. New Orleans reserve defensive ends Tanoh Kpassagnon, second round 2023 draft pick Isaiah Foskey, practice squad players Niko Lalos & Kyle Phillips round out the unit.
Turf toe is a notoriously nagging injury that can be particularly challenging for athletes, especially those in high-impact sports like football. The injury appears to be a Grade 3 which is a full tear of soft tissue makes mobility difficult, increases pain, swelling, and tenderness, requiring additional time—and sometimes surgery—for recovery. The recovery from a Grade 3 turf toe injury could take two to six months. As Payton Turner faces this latest hurdle in his NFL journey, the hope is that he can make a full recovery and return to the field stronger than ever.
