Saints take another training-camp hit as OL Dillon Radunz tears ACL, out for 2026

The New Orleans Saints received a major training-camp setback on Saturday when offensive lineman Dillon Radunz suffered a torn ACL during practice, according to an announcement from head coach Kellen Moore. The team is treating the injury as season-ending, meaning Radunz will miss the 2026 season as he begins the recovery and rehabilitation process.

For the Saints, the timing is especially challenging. Training camp is when an NFL offensive line tries to lock in roles, build cohesion with the quarterback, and establish a stable rotation for the preseason. When a starting-capable player goes down early, the ripple effects typically go beyond the missing snaps, touching the depth chart, the reps available for backups, and the continuity of the unit as it tries to gel.

Radunz’s injury also adds to the category of issues that can quietly shape a team’s season even before the regular schedule begins. Offensive line performance depends on communication and repetition, and a significant injury can force coaches to accelerate the development of players who might otherwise have had more time to earn consistent work.

The Saints’ response will likely center on how they distribute reps across the tackle and guard positions during the final stretches of camp. With Radunz sidelined, New Orleans will need a reliable plan for protecting its quarterback and sustaining blocking assignments in both run and pass situations, particularly during any early-camp evaluation periods where line combinations are still being tested.

From a personnel-management standpoint, the practical challenge is not only identifying who can step in immediately, but also figuring out who can do it consistently. NFL teams typically prefer to avoid rotating too many different linemen in and out of the same roles, because frequent changes can complicate pass protection calls and timing on runs. How the Saints handle those decisions after Radunz’s injury will be one of the most closely watched questions in the coming weeks.

There is no additional detail available here about when Radunz suffered the injury beyond that it occurred during Saturday’s practice, nor is there information on whether the team will pursue other internal solutions versus external additions. Still, an ACL tear generally requires an extended timeline, and a season miss is consistent with that recovery reality.

What to watch next for New Orleans is how offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and the rest of the coaching staff configure the line in live work, who gains momentum as a replacement option, and whether the Saints’ starters can maintain communication and assignment clarity despite the change. The Saints will also monitor Radunz’s rehab progress throughout the summer so they have a clearer picture of his long-term readiness going forward.

For Saints supporters, the immediate focus is the 2026 readiness of the offensive line, particularly in pass protection. For the players surrounding Radunz, it becomes an opportunity and a necessity at the same time: someone must absorb the workload, and the Saints’ ability to stabilize that group could help determine how quickly their offense finds its rhythm this fall.