Story by
Is Jordyn Tyson Playing Against the Browns? Answering 5 Questions Saints Fans Are Asking
- Story by
- Is Jordyn Tyson Playing Against the Browns? Answering 5 Questions Saints Fans Are Asking
Saints fans got a bye week off from football and none from the questions. Kellen Moore fired his run-game coordinator, cut his kicker and still hasn't said when first-round pick Jordyn Tyson will play, all before a 2-5 team returns to the Superdome on Sunday against the 5-3 Browns.
Here's where things stand on five of the biggest questions, starting with the rookie receiver New Orleans has been waiting on since August .
Advertisement
Is Jordyn Tyson playing against the Browns?
Sep 13, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) makes catch against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn ImagesDavid Reginek-Imagn Images
It's not settled yet. Tyson has been on injured reserve with the right hamstring injury he suffered in an Aug. 13 joint practice against Jacksonville, and ESPN's Adam Schefter reported in October that Week 9 was the most logical target for his return. As of Monday, the Saints were still deciding whether he, Travis Etienne Jr. and left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. would return to practice this week.
Opening his 21-day practice window wouldn't guarantee he plays Sunday. If Tyson does get in, he joins a passing game that runs through Chris Olave, who has 49 catches for 636 yards. The No. 8 overall pick is the only first-round receiver from April's draft without a regular-season snap, and the Saints have been hoping to get Tyson to Tyler Shough since the summer.
Advertisement
Why did the Saints fire T.J. Paganetti?
Oct 25, 2026; Paris, FRA; New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore stands on the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Stade de France Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Because the run game hasn't worked all season. The Saints average 86 rushing yards per game and 3.5 yards per carry, and they ran for 18 yards on 17 carries in the 16-10 loss to Pittsburgh in Paris. Moore promised before the break that the team would evaluate everything during the bye , and the run-game coordinator he brought from Philadelphia was the first casualty.
"TJ is a really good coach, just felt like this is the best thing for our football team this week and we'll make some other adjustments as we go," Moore told WWL Radio . Offensive line coach Brendan Nugent will take on most of the run-game planning.
Advertisement
Who is kicking for the Saints now?
Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints place kicker Charlie Smyth (39) on the field prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn ImagesDale Zanine-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
Practice-squad kicker Charlie Smyth is the likeliest answer after the Saints released Daniel Carlson on Tuesday. Carlson made 8 of 12 field goals, a 66.7% rate tied for the second-worst in the NFL, and missed two extra points. Moore said he didn't plan to bring in other kickers this week.
Smyth isn't a sure thing, either. The Saints signed Carlson in August because neither Smyth nor Tanner Brown won the job in training camp. We laid out who is kicking for the Saints and why the team still has to find the best solution before Sunday.
Advertisement
Is Tyler Shough healthy enough to carry the offense?
Oct 25, 2026; Paris, FRA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) and head coach Kellen Moore on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Stade de France Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
He's been playing through a lot. Shough has two broken bones in his left hand and hurt his right hand against Pittsburgh, according to ESPN , and he has been sacked 15 times. The bye gave him two weeks to heal, and he hasn't missed a start.
The production has held up. Shough has 13 touchdown passes, six interceptions and a 90.9 passer rating, and we argued this morning that Moore should hand the offense to Shough instead of chasing a run game. The Saints score on 95.5% of their red-zone trips, fourth in the league.
Advertisement
Can the Saints beat the Browns?
Nov 1, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (10) dives during the second quarter of an NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Yes, if the defense holds up against the run. Cleveland is 5-3, but it scores 17.4 points per game, 29th in the NFL, and converts 32.4% of its third downs, 30th. The Browns are also coming off a 27-6 loss in Pittsburgh. Deshaun Watson has 1,806 passing yards and seven touchdown passes, and Quinshon Judkins leads the team with 342 rushing yards.
That's where New Orleans has struggled. The Saints allow 139.4 rushing yards per game, 29th in the league, and they've given up at least 100 rushing yards in every game except the win over the Giants. Chase Young (seven sacks) and Carl Granderson (5.5) can make Watson uncomfortable if Brandon Staley's defense makes Cleveland throw.
Advertisement
More on the New Orleans Saints
This story was originally published by Athlon on Nov 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
