For the first time during the 2026 season, a New Orleans Saints player has been awarded a conference player of the week award.
Following his two-interception performance against the New York Giants, Saints cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Emerson, who went into the game in relief of starting cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, added two pass breakups and seven tackles to his interception total. He picked off both Giants’ quarterbacks Jameis Winston and J.J. McCarthy.
McKinstry left the game with a migraine, stemming from an illness that’s run through the Saints’ locker room in recent weeks. Emerson performed well when called into action.
It’s been the norm to see Emerson receive playing time this season, aside from games he’s missed with a shoulder injury, the cornerback has been often seen rotating into games opposite McMinstry during pre-planned drives this year.
However, this scenario was a new one for Emerson, who saw extensive playing time.
“(Defensive Coordinator Brandon Staley) was preaching all week that the secondary had to step up and have that ballhawking mentality,” Emerson said after the game. “Get the ball back to our offense and impact the game. I’m happy that we did that.”
The Saints forced four total turnovers on Sunday against the Giants. Three came from the secondary with Emerson’s pair of interceptions and another contributed by safety Julian Blackmon.
If Staley challenged the secondary going into the Week 6 matchup, it’s clear that the unit responded well.
