The New Orleans Saints are set to activate defensive end Payton Turner from the injured reserve (IR) list. Despite the closing window for Turner’s activation, the Saints, opting against placing him on season-ending IR, plan to bring him back for the regular-season finale, according to a tweet from Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. Turner, a former first-round pick, suffered a turf toe injury in the team’s season opener, requiring surgery for recovery.
Having missed the last 13 games, Turner’s absence has been notable, given his history of injuries. As a rookie two years ago, he missed 12 games, spending the second half of the season on IR with a shoulder injury. While he avoided IR in his sophomore season, Turner still sat out for nine games. In the limited opportunities he had this season, Turner struggled to secure a starting position in the lineup, with only three sacks and six quarterback hits in 14 games.
Turner’s return is pivotal for the Saints, especially with defensive stalwarts Marshon Lattimore and Michael Thomas likely out for the remainder of the season. The team has opened a 21-day practice window for Turner, aiming to activate him before the regular season concludes; otherwise, he would lose eligibility to return from IR.
His productivity and ability to secure playing time have been questionable, facing competition from established players like Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson, Tanoh Kpassagnon, and Marcus Davenport. Turner’s preseason standing was uncertain, initially slated for a backup role behind Jordan and Granderson. The emergence of second-round pick Isaiah Foskey further diminished his playing prospects.
