One of the standout players of the second open day of New Orleans Saints Organized Team Activities (OTAs) was wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk. The wideout spent the 2025 season on Injured Reserve recovering from a shoulder injury.
The Saints brought Polk to New Orleans knowing that he would not be able to see the field in 2025, but liked what the receiver might be able to bring to the team after his recovery. Both the Saints and head coach Kellen Moore were high on the wideout during his draft process in 2024.
For Polk, the team’s patience and clear display of eagerness to get him in the fold was noticeable.
“It was an honor,” he said about the Saints trading for him. “I gave it all to my Lord and Savior, and I just trusted Him throughout the whole process, I feel like I’m supposed to be here. For them to show the gratitude of bringing me in here and having that trust of seeing the player that I’m capable of being, it speaks a lot. I just want to go out there each and every day, and show them that they made the right decision bringing me here.”
Polk had a great catch crossing the middle of the field in the second open OTA practice that drew verbal reactions from those in attendance. He’s also pulled down some nice grabs when given the opportunity in routes on air formats. He moves well and looks bigger than expected from what his college tape might suggest.
All of these performances and standout elements of his game and stature are putting him squarely in the fold to compete for a spot on the team’s active roster going into 2026. Throughout the 2025 season, Polk took advantage of the opportunity to appreciate football through a new lens.
“Honestly, it was great,” Polks said of the recovery process in New Orleans. “The whole transition, me having the opportunity to see the game from a different perspective. A lot of film being watched. A lot of football.”
The biggest lesson he learned from the vantage point?
“Don’t take it for granted, don’t take it for granted at all,” he said.”You never know when it’s gonna be your last play to go out there and play football. I never want to get complacent. Take advantage of all the opportunities that we get to come in here, because a lot of guys don’t get those opportunities.”
Polk will be firmly in the midst of a battle for what may be just one roster spot at the wide receiver position. With wideouts Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, Jordyn Tyson, Bryce Lance and Barion Brown all considered solidified, there are a number of receivers set to compete with Polk. But for right now, he’s off to an early start impressing both on and off the field.
