Tag: Payton Turner

Kirk Cousins admits injuries suffered against the Saints derailed his season

Kirk Cousins admitted that injuries suffered against the New Orleans Saints derailed his season with the Atlanta Falcons:

One of the biggest storylines from the 2024 regular season involved the unexpected collapse of the Atlanta Falcons under newly-acquired quarterback Kirk Cousins. Things all went downhill in a midseason game with the New Orleans Saints.

After getting off to a hot start with a 6-3 record, the team suffered a four-game losing streak ultimately derailing their season. Cousins, who was benched late in the year due to poor performance, recently cleared the air about how his struggles down the stretch and how injuries potentially played a role in it.

Cousins, on Good Morning Football specified a hit that he took against the Saints in Week 10 that left both his right shoulder and elbow injured for the following weeks. Coincidentally, the Falcons would lose their remaining four games after their loss to the Saints with Cousins play taking a huge dip. It appears Cousins was injured on a big hit from Saints defensive end Payton Turner, who took advantage of a breakdown in protection to rush the quarterback.

From Weeks 10 to 14, Cousins finished with nine interceptions to only one touchdown in that span, with a total QBR of 34.7. One very rough stretch.

The Falcons front office and coaching staff has made it clear that the plan is to move on from Cousins as their starting quarterback but is willing to keep him on the roster as a backup. This however won’t be likely as Cousins will almost certainly seek a trade to find a home as a potential starter. Something else to watch is whether this results in penalties on the Falcons for misreporting his status on the injury report. Atlanta already lost a draft pick for tampering with Cousins in free agency last year. They could lose another one.

The Saints will see yet another new face at the quarterback position for Atlanta next season. Expect second-year passer Michael Penix Jr. to lead them out of the tunnel in 2025.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints free agent preview: DE Payton Turner, stay or go?

Previewing free agency for the New Orleans Saints: Should they retain defensive end Payton Turner, or let him walk in the 2025 offseason?

The New Orleans Saints have some decisions to make this offseason, with a litany of free agents hitting the market (both their own and others), they will have to use their money sparingly to try and accrue new talent. Deciding who stays and who goes is a difficult process, as players like Trey Hendrickson get away sometimes due to cap space.

One of the players set to become a free agent this offseason is defensive end Payton Turner, who had his fifth-year option declined by the Saints last offseason. The 2021 first round pick has unfortunately not lived up to his potential, and that makes the decision regarding his contract easier than some others.

With that said, here is his career summary so far:

Career Stats

Payton Turner has had an exceptionally slow start to his career to date, as in four seasons he has only played in 31 games, starting none, and accrued 50 total tackles (30 solo, 20 assisted), 39 pressures, 11 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 4 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. These stats are something you would expect in one season from a first round pick, not over their entire rookie contract.

Statistically he has struggled and that heavily coincides with his lack of time played and injuries accrued. Even when he does play, he seems a step or two slow due to the accrued injuries over four seasons.

Snap Counts

Here are the snap counts for the games Turner played in his four seasons:

  • 2021 – 41% (143)
  • 2022 – 32% (171)
  • 2023 – 20% (25)
  • 2024 – 31% (335)

2024 season review

2024 was not much of a revelation for Turner, as despite being able to play in 16 games, he was unable to accrue any meaningful statistics over the course of the year. His 4 pass deflections were one of the very few stats he showed up for, as his height allowed him to make plays on passes off the edge rather often. Other than that though, it was not particularly a good season, and in what is a contract year, it was likely not enough to earn another with the Saints.

Stay or go?

As is clear by the analysis of his stats, health, or eye test, Turner just has not shown enough to prove he is worth another contract. As much as he looked like a solid player coming out of his draft class, he ultimately has struggled immensely with injuries which is truly unfortunate, as you hate to see any injuries to younger up and coming players.

As much as I would like to validate a one year deal, the defensive end room needs a bit of an overhaul, and new talent needs to find its way into that group. Turner would also likely benefit from new scenery and new coaching, so it is in the best interest of both teams to go there separate ways and find what they need.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Cameron Jordan on why Saints had to make a change at DL coach

Cameron Jordan shared his views on former Saints defensive line coach Todd Grantham, and why change was needed to get more out of the unit:

The New Orleans Saints had a difficult 2024 season, to put it lightly, and one of the more notable issues on the team was the defensive line’s struggles. The unit was solid at generating pressure, and occasionally was around league-average in the sacks department. However, when it came to run defense, things got ugly. Here are some key stats that predominantly start with the defensive line:

  • Tied-15th fewest sacks accumulated (39)
  • 2nd-most rushing yards allowed (2,404)
  • Tied-7th most rushing touchdowns allowed (20)
  • Tied-3rd most 20-yard runs allowed (18)
  • 2nd-highest yards per carry allowed (4.9)

This poor performance led to defensive line coach Todd Grantham being re-assigned out of the position, and ultimately ended up moving on to become the defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.

Veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan of the Saints discussed Grantham and his points of emphasis at a few points throughout the season/offseason, and this continued recently as Sports Illustrated had chronicled his season, and heard more about their relationship.

Greg Bishop of Sports Illustrated paraphrased what Jordan had said regarding former Saints defensive line coach Todd Grantham, stating:

“All season, Jordan had stressed patience, while he tried to adapt to a new role — pass rusher primarily rushing from the interior. He says, more than once and for months, that his position coach, Todd Grantham, wasn’t focused on teaching players technique, tweaking form throughout a season, or development in general.” 

This would be followed up with more information regarding what he said after Week 9’s loss to the Carolina Panthers, the team’s seventh defeat in a row:

“At one point in another stinging defeat, Jordan says he told Allen and others he wouldn’t speak to Grantham anymore, that all communication needed to come from someone else. “I reached my threshold,” he says. “Threshold of — he doesn’t know what respect looks like, or he doesn’t know how to treat a man as a man. If anything, I’m a warrior. There’s ways to go about things respectfully.” 

Ultimately this is not the most surprising development to hear, as the progress of young defensive ends Isaiah Foskey and Payton Turner has been slow to nonexistent, and coaching plays a large hand in that. With neither player living up to pre-draft expectations, and a veteran stating the coaching focus was not on cultivating technique, it is fair to assume the Saints made the right move in letting Grantham walk.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Darren Rizzi explains late-game conversation with Payton Turner

Some Saints fans noticed Darren Rizzi stumbling into Payton Turner late in their win over the Falcons. The coach said a congratulatory shove gave him a stinger:

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi drew a lot of questions after his team’s 20-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons, but one of them focused on what exactly happened in his late-game interaction with defensive end Payton Turner.

Toward the end of the game, it almost looked as though the coach’s legs had gone numb and that he had lost his balance before he hugged Turner and spoke with him. It also appeared that Rizzi lost balance during the moment, though he walked off the field normally following the incident.

Rizzi said he yelled at Turner with roughly 30 seconds left in the contest because Turner was celebrating before the game had ended.

“So, (I was) screaming at him. So, he’s spraying water and I ripped his (redacted), quite frankly,” Rizzi began. “So, when the game was over, he wanted to get me back, so he came up to me and I wasn’t looking and he jacked me up from the back.”

The interim coach, who won his first game in the position and has instilled a new sense of optimism within the team and the fan base, said that he’s fine after his left arm went numb and that it is nothing new considering that he’s had a “history of stingers.” Still, the sudden loss of balance almost brought his legs out from under him, so he grabbed onto his player for support.

Rizzi and the Saints will look to build upon this statement victory as they head through the final stretch of the season. That journey will start with a matchup against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Nov. 17. Kickoff is set for Noon CT at the Caesars Superdome.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Todd Grantham’s responsibilities are changing under Darren Rizzi

Todd Grantham’s responsibilities are changing under Darren Rizzi. He’s moving from defensive line coach to an advisor role:

Todd Grantham’s responsibilities are changing under New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi. He’s moving from defensive line coach to a senior advisor role after the team dismissed Dennis Allen. Rizzi says Brian Young, a 15-year coaching veteran on staff as a pass-rush specialist, will run the defensive line room.

“It’s a shuffle. Shuffle the deck there a little bit on defense,” Rizzi told reporters Wednesday, when asked whether he would characterize these  changes as a demotion and promotion. “You have to understand the workload change because Dennis got removed. Dennis was, daily, in the defensive staff rooms so we quote-unquote lost a defensive coach. Not only a head coach, we lost the play caller. Now Joe, who is doing his stuff, he’s now coordinating, his workload changes. His day-to-day workload the fans may not understand completely, we just re-divvy it up. I just felt this was the best way to shuffle the deck there.”

Grantham’s focus will be advising defensive coordinator Joe Woods as he begins calling plays in Allen’s stead; it’s a less hands-on role than what he’s had here before. That isn’t the only change on the defensive side of the ball, but it is the most notable. Young will work with linebackers coach Michael Hodges to coordinate the defensive run game each week.

But change was needed. The Saints were on pace to set an NFL record for the most yards allowed before contact on running plays, which was a direct reflection on Grantham’s unit. The defensive line was getting pushed off the ball and not making plays. The lack of development for young draft picks like Payton Turner and Isaiah Foskey speaks for itself, even if Rizzi took the high road here.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints announce inactive players for Week 5 game vs. Chiefs

The Saints ruled out five starters prior to Monday. Who else will be inactive as they face the Chiefs on ‘Monday Night Football?’

The New Orleans Saints are once again the more injured team entering the game. The Kansas City Chiefs, however, enter the game without Rashee Rice. That is the biggest loss to the Chiefs. The Saints, on the other hand, already ruled out seven players before the game.

The Saints will have to take on Chiefs defensive tackle without two-thirds of their interior offensive line. Cesar Ruiz will miss his second consecutive game, and Erik McCoy is on injured reserve. To make matters worse, Shane Lemieux started at center last week and is already on injured reserve himself.

Demario Davis returning is the best injury news the Saints have received, but it came at the price of losing Pete Werner and Willie Gay.

Here is the full list of inactive players for the Week 5 game versus the Chiefs:

New Orleans Saints inactive players:

  • G Cesar Ruiz (knee)
  • LB Pete Werner (hamstring)
  • LB Willie Gay (hand)
  • DE Payton Turner (knee)
  • TE Taysom Hill (rib)
  • DT Khristian Boyd
  • QB Spencer Rattler (emergency third quarterback)

Kansas City Chiefs inactive players:

  • OL C.J. Hanson
  • OT Ethan Driskell
  • DT  Marlon Tuipulotu
  • DEE Cameron Thomas

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

49ers should trade for Saints struggling former 1st-round pick

The 49ers need depth at DE, and the Saints have a player who could be available in a trade that is just San Francisco’s type.

The San Francisco 49ers need to find some help on their defensive line.

That need was highlighted in the preseason finale when defensive ends Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos went down with injuries. Floyd is day-to-day and looks to be on track to play in the season opener on Sept. 9.

There’s more uncertainty with Gross-Matos, who is considered week-to-week according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.

While the 49ers could conceivably scour the free agent pool and waiver wire for DE help, they could also explore the trade market ahead of final cuts.

The New Orleans Saints roster offers an option that may strike the 49ers’ fancy with former first-round pick Payton Turner.

Turner was the No. 28 overall pick in the 2021 draft and he’s yet to get his career off the ground. In three seasons he’s played only 15 games and posted 3.0 sacks. Pro Football Focus has him down for just 26 pressures in those 15 games.

His production certainly doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence that he could help the 49ers. However, he’s the exact type of reclamation project they’ve had some success with. He has all the measurables to be an impactful player on an NFL defensive line, and he has the size to fit a role where he plays on the edge and the interior.

San Francisco isn’t batting 1.000 with such projects, but there’s enough need at the position that sending a sixth-round pick to the Saints in exchange for Turner and a seventh makes sense.

Perhaps the 49ers are happy with the internal depth on their 90-man roster, and they’ll aim to get a DE to the practice squad who can be on the gameday roster in the event of an injury. Signs point to them needing more depth at such a vital position though, and they should shoot to acquire a player with a little upside like Turner.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Payton Turner’s toe injury flared up again at Saints practice this week

Payton Turner’s toe injury flared up again at Saints practice this week. He’s playing through pain to prove he belongs:

Payton Turner’s toe injury flared up again at New Orleans Saints training camp this week, taking the defensive end out of practice early. It was the second time in as many weeks where Turner’s injury became a problem. And he returned to a full day of reps the next day just like the week before. But this may be something Turner and the Saints medical staff have to manage throughout his time in black and gold.

He’s playing through pain to prove he belongs. It’s not like Turner stubbed his toe or something negligible. He tore a ligament in his foot last year that required surgery and an extensive rehab, and it’s still bothering him. It’s really unfortunate for a player who is working so hard to help his team and salvage his career be slowed down by something outside his control like this.

So what’s to be done? Expect more occasional rest days for Turner throughout the season to help mitigate the weight and stress being put on his surgically-repaired foot. That’s the approach the team has taken with other players battling long-lasting injuries in the past, like Ryan Ramczyk’s degenerative knee condition. But we’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully Turner can continue to play and fight for snaps in the rotation at defensive end behind Chase Young, Carl Granderson, and Cameron Jordan.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

B/R says Saints should put Payton Turner on the trade block

With just one year left on his contract, Bleacher Report argues the New Orleans Saints should put Payton Turner on the trade block:

Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler called for the New Orleans Saints to put Payton Turner on the trade block. Fowler listed a player from each team that should go on the trade block.

Fowler had various reasons for a player’s inclusion. Crowded position group, expiring contract, or a change of scenery. Turner is on the last year of his deal, but him getting a new contract after a trade is doubtful because of the injury history. Change of scenery is obviously the route Fowler is going.

Turner hasn’t turned into the player the Saints desired him to be since drafting him in 2021. Heading into Year 4, he may never turn into that, but he could turn into draft compensation from another team via trade.

A large part of Turner not hitting his ceiling is health-related. In three seasons, he has played just 15 games. Turner’s shown flashes, but flashes aren’t enough at this point. Sustained production of some sort is required, and Turner’s availability removes him from sustaining poor or positive performance.

It’s difficult to predict a change of scenery would lead to Turner staying healthy. It certainly didn’t work for Marcus Davenport. Turner would result in minor compensation if he were traded.

On top of that, the Achilles injury to Tanoh Kpassagnon means Isaiah Foskey would step into fourth pass rusher role. Turner is injury-prone, but Foskey hasn’t even shown the flashes to make you believe in him. Never say never, but Turner is likely staying in New Orleans for the final year of his contract.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Carl Granderson is the Saints’ surest thing at defensive end

There’s a lot of question marks at defensive end for the New Orleans Saints, but Dennis Allen says Carl Granderson isn’t one of them:

Carl Granderson has earned the full trust of Dennis Allen. In his interview after Day 3 at New Orleans Saints training camp, Allen was asked to clarify a sentiment from a previous interview. He expressed concerns about each of the Saints defensive ends, singling out Cameron Jordan, Chase Young, Isaiah Foskey and Payton Turner.

Do you see someone missing? When asked about Granderson’s exclusion, Allen made it clear this wasn’t a memory lapse.

“Carl has earned the right to be someone we’re really going to count on,” Allen said. If that wasn’t clear enough, Allen took it a step farther and named the questions marks and variables surrounding all other players at the position.

“Carl’s a guy who just continued to improve,” Allen added.

This speaks volumes about the view of Granderson inside the locker room. He’s coming off the best year of his career. In 2023, he set career highs in sacks (8.5), tackles for loss (14) and quarterback pressures (58), leading the team in each category. Granderson  hit double-digit tackles for a loss for the first time in his career, and he’s looking to achieve that same accomplishment with sacks this upcoming season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]