By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS, La. — One of the bright spots for the New Orleans Saints on their season opener is now expected to miss some time with injury.
This story was updated with new information at 12:13 p.m. CT.
Per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, safety Julian Blackmon suffered a significant injury and is expected to miss time.
Further information reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reveals that the injury is a torn labrum and that the safety could miss the remainder of the NFL season if tests confirm the severity of the injury. A very tough break for the safety, and an unfortunate turn for New Orleans.
The team did a very effective job revamping its safety room this offseason. Despite losing last year’s safety tandem of Will Harris Jr. and Tyrann Mathieu to free agency and retirement respectively, the Saints built a strong room with Blackmon, free agent acquisition Justin Reid and third-round draft pick Jonas Sanker.
The injury comes as a surprise after Blackmon appeared in 100% of defensive snaps against the Cardinals on Sunday. But now New Orleans will have to turn to another young safety in the room for the rest of the year.
Sanker could end up being the front-runner in this conversation although third-year safety Jordan Howden and veteran defensive back Terrell Burgess can also be options.
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