The second joint practice for the New Orleans Saints has come to a close in sunny California after a brawl-filled and competitive one with the Dallas Cowboys. In between all of the extra-curricular activities was some really good work in all phases of the game and the biggest standouts come from the defense.
Here are three players that were harder to miss than a Brock Rechsteiner German suplex against the Cowboys.
QB Tyler Shough
The Saints have been watching quarterback Tyler Shough absolutely deal each time he’s faced a different opponent than his own defense. He was impressive against the Jacksonville Jaguars in their joint competition and did it again against the Cowboys.
Shough went 19/22 with two touchdowns strikes and an interception throughout the day while consistently attacking downfield with receivers Chris Olave and Bryce Lance. Both of his touchdown passes came in the red zone, an area where the Saints are looking to improve from their league-worst ranking last season.
The second-year passer continues to deliver on the optimism around him going into the 2026 season.
WR Chris Olave
Reeling in eight catches and a touchdown reception on eight targets is a dominant day for any receiver in an environment as competitive as the one against the Cowboys.
Deep downfield, back shoulder, quick slant, whatever it is that Olave was asked to do, he did it emphatically against Dallas. The wide receiver is in for a massive year in the black and gold and is one of the reasons the Saints’ offense still has a lot of potential despite injuries stacking up.
S Julian Blackmon
Like Shough, putting safety Julian Blackmon across from a different team and he makes plays. Blackmon has participated in two joint practices with the team thus far and has walked away with as many interceptions.
He will be an important part of the Saints’ defense bolstering their abilities as a takeaway team and is already showing that his skills haven’t suffered despite the early-season injury last year.
With Blackmon prowling the deep area of the field, Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley’s system has all of its pieces in place.
