It’s official. On Monday afternoon, Saints head coach Sean Payton announced that Jameis Winston has been diagnosed with a torn ACL (Twitter link via Saints). 
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Winston also suffered MCL damage, which may prolong his recovery. The timing is especially unfortunate for the quarterback as he’ll be out of contract in the spring.
Winston, the first-overall pick in the 2015 draft, joined New Orleans in 2020 following five underwhelming years in Tampa Bay. He saw time in four games during his first Saints season, completing seven of his 11 pass attempts for 75 yards. He also came up key during the Saints’ postseason loss to the Buccaneers, completing his lone pass attempt for 56 yards and a score. After that, he returned on a one-year deal with $5.5MM guaranteed and the potential to earn up to $12MM via incentives, most of which he will not earn now that he’s shelved for the second half.
The Saints will either turn the offense over to backup Trevor Siemian or Taysom Hill, depending on Hill’s post-concussion status. They could also weigh some out-of-house options, but NBC analyst Drew Brees and free agent Cam Newton will not be among those considered.
Deshaun Watson???
New Orleans doesn’t have enough predators???
This actually makes sense
I sort of thought that they may be a dark horse there, but I don’t think that they’ll do it. I’m positive that they’ve discussed it, but I doubt that they’ve figured out a package that will be ready tomorrow.
If New Orleans wanted Watson, I think they made that decision before this. I don’t think they’d trade for him in a panic, but this is also the first time they’ve been without a clear starter in a long time, so who knows.
Getting something of scale in order in ~24 hours is admittedly a steep ask.
How much cap room can they spare for someone who may be sitting home next year?
I’m a Bucs fan but I’m beyond infuriated with Devon White. Why would you tackle a guy like that? Pull him down by the neck? Backwards? Come on man.
I have seen Devon White play enough to think that it was just one of those freak, “in the moment ” plays. He was trying to bring down a big man, and didn’t have a great angle, which is kind of surprising given he’s usually a sure tackler, with good form. It sucks, as I’m a Saints fan, but I don’t think it was malicious, just one of those freakish football plays. I feel for Winston, who has become a leader, fan favorite, and game manager for this team. I guess the Saints will really see if “defenses win championships” although when the playoffs roll around, and EVERYONE is good, you still have to score more than everyone else to win.
Hold up Brad. I thought you were a New England guy?
More accurately… Patriots + Brady fan.
How about Phillip Rivers? He said he’s be open to a midseason contract once high school football was done. That would be a perfect fit.