Saints linebacker Junior Galette suffered a pectoral injury recently and is contemplating surgery, sources informed Mike Garafolo and Ross Jones of Foxsports.com.
Galette, 27, sustained the injury away from the team’s facilities. Should the sixth-year veteran opt for surgery, he could be out as long as six months, report Jones and Garafolo. The Saints’ top sack artist watched OTA practice from the sidelines Thursday but did not participate, according to NOLA.com’s Evan Woodberry.
Prior to extending fellow pass-rusher Cameron Jordan earlier this week, the Saints locked down Galette, who has 22 sacks the past two seasons, to a four-year, $41.5MM contract before last season.
The Giants lost left tackle Will Beatty to a torn pectoral recently, and their top edge protector will miss five to six months. It’s unclear whether Galette has a torn muscle at this time.
Jordan recorded 7.5 sacks last season after a Pro Bowl-garnering 12.5 in 2013, leading to his new deal but may be on his own for a while this season, with teams planning protections to stop him. Outside linebacker Parys Haralson recorded three sacks last season. The team also signed Anthony Spencer earlier this offseason. Each would have amplified roles for a defense that ranked 31st last year in yards allowed per game if Galette misses regular-season time.