Report: Saints rookie Vernon Broughton out for season

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS, La. – For the second week in a row, the New Orleans Saints left a Sunday game looking healthy only to learn Monday afternoon that one of their players will be out for the rest of the season with injury. 

Last week, it was safety Julian Blackmon due to a shoulder injury, this time around, it’s a young rookie defender with a hip injury.

Per NFL Network’s Mike Garapolo, Saints’ third-round rookie defensive tackle Vernon Broughton is expected to miss the remainder of the year with a hip injury.

#Saints rookie DT Vernon Broughton is expected to miss the rest of the season with a hip injury, sources tell The Insiders. The third-round pick is getting multiple opinions to see if surgery is required. Broughton flashed potential in 24 snaps yesterday in his season debut. pic.twitter.com/wFzPKIMG9F

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) September 15, 2025

Broughton had a relatively quiet offseason and was inactive for the first contest of the year. He made his debut to the tune of 24 defensive snaps this week against the San Francisco 49ers. 

During his final pass rushing rep, which came with 2:56 left in the game, 49ers quarterback Mac Jones connected with running back Christian McCaffrey over the middle of the field. Broughton hustled from rushing Jones to getting downfield to help make the tackle on McCaffrey. After the play, Broughton could be seen grabbing at his left side near the hip area. This appears to be the play wherein he suffered the injury.

Broughton was on the field for the final kneel downs by the 49ers.

Without Broughton, the Saints still have plenty of options along their interior defensive line. The big loss here is for Broughton, who was just starting to see his opportunity to develop with on field action.

Now, he’ll have to wait until 2026 to see his next action.