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Crushing Blow: Saints Lose Bresee for Season to ACL
Saints Star Bryan Bresee Out for Season with Torn ACL: What Happened and What’s Next
METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Saints received devastating news on the very first day of training camp. Their young defensive star, Bryan Bresee, suffered a season-ending knee injury.
What Exactly Happened?
Imagine you’re at the first day of a big sports camp. You’re running a play, no one touches you, and suddenly your knee gives out. That’s exactly what happened to Bryan Bresee, a 24-year-old defensive tackle for the New Orleans Saints.
The key details:
- When: First practice of training camp (last week)
- How: Non-contact injury — Bresee was doing a pass-rush move when his knee buckled
- Diagnosis: Torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) — confirmed by medical testing
- Result: Season-ending surgery required
"First day. It was like a freak accident. Hardly wasn’t even any contact. Just really was a pass rush move and he felt his knee buckle."
— Davon Godchaux, Saints nose tackle
Who Is Bryan Bresee? (And Why This Matters)
Think of Bresee as one of the building blocks of the Saints’ defense. Here’s his resume in simple terms:
| Fact | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| 2023 First-Round Draft Pick | The Saints invested a very valuable pick in him |
| Started 26 games in 2 seasons | He earned a starting role immediately |
| 14.5 career sacks | He’s already a proven playmaker |
| 2027 fifth-year option picked up ($13.9M) | The team committed big money to his future |
| Previous ACL tear (2021 at Clemson) | This is his second major knee injury |
IMPORTANT POINT
This is Bresee’s second torn ACL — he previously tore his left ACL in 2021 at Clemson. This latest injury is to his other knee. Recovery from a second ACL tear can be more challenging physically and mentally.
The "Next Man Up" Plan: Who Steps In?
In football, when a starter goes down, the team doesn’t cancel the season. They rotate other players. The Saints have several options to fill Bresee’s spot:
The Interior Defensive Line Rotation
- Nathan Shepherd — Veteran player, steady presence
- Vernon Broughton — 2025 third-round pick, got lots of first-team practice reps this week
- Note: Only played 1 game last year due to hip injury
- John Ridgeway III — Big, strong run-stuffer
- Christen Miller — Young player the coaches are counting on
- Khristian Boyd — Another developmental option
"I mean, I think we all got to step up… Everybody’s the guy because D-line is a position where… everybody’s going to play every game. Who’s the hot hand? Some guys have their games… But everybody’s got to step up."
— Davon Godchaux
What This Means in Practice
- No single player will replace Bresee’s production alone
- The Saints will use a rotation (fresh players cycling in)
- Different players for different situations:
- Run-heavy games → Godchaux, Ridgeway
- Pass-heavy games → Broughton, Shepherd, Miller
What Is an ACL? (ELI5 Explanation)
Think of your knee like a hinge on a door. The ACL is one of the main rubber bands holding that hinge together.
- ACL = Anterior Cruciate Ligament
- It stops your shin bone from sliding too far forward
- When it tears → knee becomes unstable, can’t support cutting/pivoting
- Surgery = Replace the torn ligament with a graft (often from your own hamstring or patellar tendon)
- Recovery = 9–12 months typically for NFL players
Timeline: What Happens Now?
For Bresee
- Surgery — Usually within 1–3 weeks (swelling must go down first)
- Rehab Phase 1 (Weeks 1–6) — Protect the graft, regain motion
- Rehab Phase 2 (Months 2–4) — Strength building, light jogging
- Rehab Phase 3 (Months 5–8) — Cutting, pivoting, football drills
- Return Target — 2026 training camp (roughly 11–12 months)
For the Saints
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| Now | Evaluate rotation in practice |
| Preseason Games | Test combinations in live action |
| Week 1 Regular Season | Have a plan ready |
| Mid-Season | Adjust based on who’s playing best |
Summary: The Big Picture
| What We Know | What We’ll Learn |
|---|---|
| Bresee is out for 2025 season | How well the rotation holds up |
| Surgery confirmed, rehab starts soon | If Broughton can stay healthy |
| Saints have 5+ interior DL options | Whether Christen Miller emerges |
| Team philosophy: "Next man up" | If the defense misses Bresee’s pass rush |
| Bresee has overcome this before | His long-term future after 2 ACL tears |
Bottom line: This is a huge blow — Bresee was a rising star. But the Saints knew injuries happen, which is why they drafted and signed depth. The season isn’t over; it’s just a different challenge now.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What does "fifth-year option" mean?
A: For first-round draft picks, teams have a contract option for a 5th year. The Saints exercised it, guaranteeing Bresee $13.9 million for 2027 — showing they believe in him long-term despite this injury.
Can Bresee come back from a second ACL tear?
A: Yes! Many NFL players have returned from multiple ACL tears (like Frank Gore, Thomas Davis, Jordan Howard). Modern medicine is excellent. The mental side is often harder than the physical.
Why was Bresee practicing if it was just the first day of camp?
A: Training camp practices are full-speed, competitive sessions. Starters get reps to build chemistry and timing. You can’t simulate game intensity without practicing.
What’s the difference between a defensive tackle and defensive end?
A: Think of the defensive line like a wall:
- Defensive Tackles (DT) — Line up in the middle, stop the run, push the pocket
- Defensive Ends (DE) — Line up on the edges, rush the quarterback, set the edge
Bresee is a DT; Chase Young (quoted above) is a DE.
How does this affect the Saints’ salary cap?
A: Bresee’s 2025 salary stays on the books. The $13.9M fifth-year option for 2027 is guanteed for injury only — meaning if he can’t pass a physical in 2027, the Saints still owe it. They’re protected either way.
Article based on reporting by Katherine Terrell, ESPN. Original publication: August 2, 2026.
