Full Breakdown
Dillon Radunz’s Season-Ending ACL Tear Deepens Saints’ O-Line Woes
8/10/2026, 1:46:03 PM
Injury Overview
New Orleans Saints guard Dillon Radunz suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a one-on-one drill in Saturday’s training-camp practice. Coach Kellen Moore confirmed the diagnosis on Sunday and said the injury will require reconstructive surgery, ending Radunz’s 2026 season.
Player Background
Radunz, a 6-foot-6, 301-pound former North Dakota State standout, was a second-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2021. He appeared in 54 games with 31 starts for Tennessee, playing both guard spots and occasionally tackle. After tearing his ACL with the Titans in 2022, he returned in 2023 to start 11 of 16 games and signed a two-year, $6.9 million extension with the Saints after the 2025 season. In New Orleans he played in 15 games, starting 10 at left guard.
Impact on the Offensive Line
Radunz’s versatility had become a cornerstone of the Saints’ depth strategy. Coach Moore had planned to give second-string center Cesar Ruiz additional reps at center, relying on Radunz to fill either guard spot. With Radunz unavailable, the team loses a “security blanket,” limiting the ability to shift a starter to center without sacrificing interior depth.
The injury follows defensive tackle Bryan Bresee’s ACL tear at the start of camp, leaving the Saints without two players who each provided valuable depth. Rookie right-guard Jeremiah Wright remains sidelined with a shoulder injury, and second-string guard William Sherman is now the primary backup between projected starter Cesar Ruiz and the vacant spot left by Radunz.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Moore announced the ACL tear and confirmed that Radunz will miss the season. He also noted that defensive end Cameron Jordan missed Sunday’s practice because of a hamstring issue that began Thursday and was excused from Saturday’s session to attend former teammate Drew Brees’ Hall-of-Fame induction. Moore said the team is still gathering information on Jordan’s hamstring severity.
Safety Julian Blackmon left Saturday’s practice with a knee injury but returned on Sunday, while wide receiver Chris Olave resumed normal practice after a brief wrist evaluation. The coaching staff has not disclosed a timeline for replacing Radunz on the depth chart beyond promoting existing backups.
Additional Camp Injuries
- Bryan Bresee (DT) – torn ACL, season-ending surgery.
- Cameron Jordan (DE) – hamstring strain, under observation.
- Julian Blackmon (S) – knee injury, returned to practice.
- Jeremiah Wright (RG) – shoulder injury, missed three practices.
These setbacks compound concerns about the Saints’ interior line stability heading into the 2026 season.
What It Means for the Saints
Losing Radunz removes a veteran who could provide immediate plug-and-play depth at both guard positions and support a potential shift of Ruiz to center. The combination of Radunz’s ACL tear, Bresee’s identical injury, and Wright’s shoulder issue forces the Saints to rely on younger, less experienced linemen, straining the unit’s ability to protect the quarterback and establish a consistent running game.
