The Saints' path back to the top of the NFC South just got harder.
New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore announced Sunday that standout defensive tackle Bryan Bresee will undergo season-ending surgery after suffering a torn right ACL.
Bresee, a 2023 first-round pick, sustained the noncontact injury during the Saints' first practice of training camp.
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90) during an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers on November 9, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
"It's tough," Moore told reporters. "Bryan played some really good football last year and had a great offseason."
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound interior lineman previously tore his left ACL as a sophomore at Clemson in 2021.
Since being taken with the 29th overall pick in 2023, Bresee, 24, has started 26 games for the Saints and recorded 14.5 sacks.
Rico Dowdle (5) of the Carolina Panthers is tackled by Bryan Bresee (90) of the New Orleans Saints during the second half in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getty Images
In April, the Saints picked up Bresee's fifth-year option on his rookie contract, giving him a fully guaranteed $13.931 million salary for the 2027 season.
"It's sad. I knew what year he wanted to have this year. I was excited for him," Saints defensive end Chase Young said after the injury occurred. "The bright side is with ACLs now, you know you can get back."
