Jordyn Tyson injury: Comparing Saints' schedule, recovery timetable

The New Orleans Saints faced an unexpected blow on Monday when they announced wide receiver Jordyn Tyson might be sidelined for two months due to a hamstring injury. While it's reassuring that Tyson's current injury doesn't follow his previous history of hamstring issues, his recurring injuries pose a significant concern. The team now must decide whether to place Tyson on injured reserve (IR) for the 2026 season, a decision that could impact their starting lineup for the first two crucial games against the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens.

Under current NFL rules, teams can designate a player on IR to return after sitting out at least four games, without the need to keep the player on the 53-man roster for a day. The Saints have eight return designations this season, so using one on Tyson would leave them with seven for the remaining 17 weeks. With Tyson's potential return date in question, fans are left wondering if he'll be ready for the Saints' Week 3 home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, scheduled for September 27th.

Ideally, Tyson would avoid IR and be on the field for the Week 3 game. If he ends up on IR, the earliest he could return is Week 4, when the Saints play the Atlanta Falcons. However, if Tyson's recovery takes longer, his return could be pushed back to Week 6, coinciding with the Saints' road game against the New York Giants on October 18th.

The Saints will also be on the road in the first two weeks of the season against the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens, both known for their seasoned rosters and capable coaching staff.

This setback means the Saints won't have their first-round draft pick for the two toughest games on their schedule. While the team has a few weeks to devise a plan and adapt without Tyson, it remains to be seen how they will cope with this unexpected injury.