Just 45 days are left before the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2026 season. The Saints will start their year on the road, traveling to face the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Sept. 13. Wearing No. 45 going into training camp is linebacker Jackson Sirmon, a newcomer to the team.
Sirmon was signed by the Saints just before the start of offseason workouts. He'll be among the competitors for a backup linebacker spot. He's also vying to become the 15th player to ever wear a 45 jersey for New Orleans. Our countdown to kickoff series looks at each.
Saints History of No. 45
- RB Jimmy Jordan (1967)
- S Elbert Kimbrough (1968)
- RB Arthur Green (1972)
- CB Pete Athas (1976)
- RB Jack Holmes (1978-82)
- RB Tim Wilson (1983-84)
- RB Josh Williams (1986)
- RB Nate Johnson (1987)
- CB Stan Petry (1991)
- CB Israel Byrd (1994-95)
- FB Jed Collins (2011-13)
- CB Toben Opurum (2015)
- TE Garrett Griffin (2017-21)
- LB Nephi Sewell (2022-25)
- LB Jackson Sirmon (current)
Jimmy Jordan was the first to wear 45 for the Saints, doing it for one game during the inaugural 1967 for the franchise. Elbert Kimbrough was the first defensive player to wear the number, doing so for 10 games
in 1968 with an interception. Pete Athas had 2 interceptions and a fumble recovery during his only year as a Saint in 1971.
The first four players to wear No. 45 for the Saints were gone before the next year and appeared in a combined 31 games. Jack Holmes broke that trend in 1978. Holmes was with the Saints for five years and 64 games, which turned out to be the longest stretch of any New Orleans player that has worn 45. Over his time with New Orleans, Holmes accounted for 6 touchdowns and had 846 yards from scrimmage.
Of the 14 players that previously wore No. 45 with New Orleans, not one was drafted by the Saints. Six of them were with the team for more than one year. Four of those managed to stay with New Orleans for greater than two seasons. Fullback Jed Collins was one. Collins didn't fill up a stat sheet, but was with the Saints for three seasons and 47 games as a quality lead blocker. He also scored 7 touchdowns out of his 58 touches in short yardage situations. Garrett Griffin's time with New Orleans was also as a blocker, but he'd appear in just 20 games and catch five passes.
Nephi Sewell was with New Orleans for the last three years. Mostly a special teams contributor, Sewell's agility and experience as a college safety also earned him a small role in defensive coverage packages. Sewell appeared in just 27 games, but still third among players who have worn No. 45 with New Orleans. Jackson Sirmon comes to the Saints as a more traditionally built linebacker than Sewell. He'll compete for one of the backup jobs, but his chances at landing one will depend on his ability to contribute on special teams.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 45 days until Saints opener: Every player to wear the No. 45 jersey
