The New Orleans Saints announced they have placed rookie RB Devin Neal (hamstring) and second-year WR Devaughn Vele (shoulder) on injured reserve, ending their seasons as both were beginning to blossom into potential cornerstones of the team’s future.
Devin Neal’s rookie season recap:
The sixth-round pick out of Kansas carved out a significant role down the final stretch of the season while Alvin Kamara nurses an ankle injury.
Neal finished the year with 206 rushing yards on 57 attempts and two rushing touchdowns,
while also hauling in 17 passes on 19 targets for 104 yards through the air. The 22-year-old is extremely difficult to bring down, as he forced 10 missed tackles and 136 yards of his rushing total came after initial contact.
Neal has earned the right to more touches in 2026 in a Saints backfield that could look much different next season.
Devaughn Vele’s first season in Black and Gold:
Once the Saints traded away Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks and parted ways with Brandin Cooks, they finally remembered they had traded a 2026 fourth-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick to the Denver Broncos for the six-foot-five Vele this offseason.
After quickly becoming a reliable safety valve for rookie QB Tyler Shough, the 28-year-old put together a solid debut season in the Big Easy after finally getting his opportunity. He ended the year snagging 25 of his 36 targets for 293 yards and two touchdown receptions. Vele quickly became the over-the-middle slot receiver the Saints had been missing since Michael Thomas left the building, recording 9 contested catches on 11 contested targets and 19 first-down receptions. He was exceptional on third down, catching 7 of 11 targets for 87 yards and six first downs.
Nobody should be arguing if the trade was worth it at this point. The future is bright for Vele in New Orleans.
