This is a big loss. Cameron Jordan has already been ruled out for Week 1, meaning he'll miss just the third game of his 15-year New Orleans Saints career. Saints coach Kellen Moore announced the decision to sideline Jordan for what may be the first game of his final season after he suffered a hamstring injury during training camp.
"Cam Jordan did not practice with a hamstring. Cam will not play this week," Moore said in his introductory statement. Moore was asked if he had ever felt it was possible Jordan could have played in the Sept. 13 season opener, responding, "Cam's going to do everything possible to play in this game. He's progressing well, he's done a really good job during this recovery process, and we'll just take it week by week."
When asked if the decision to keep Jordan from going on injured reserve meant the Saints believed he could return before Week 4, Moore answered: "There's potential. We'll see how this thing responds."
Jordan last practiced on Aug. 6, and while there was the threat of this hamstring issue lingering into Week 1, there was more optimism that he'd be able to return after resting up for more than a month. That hope wasn't unwarranted. Jordan missed his first game in 2021 due to the NFL's COVID-19 protocol, and then he had to miss another game in 2022 after suffering a broken bone in his face. Including the playoffs, he suited up for 171 consecutive games from 2011 to 2020. It says a lot about his durability that he's still appeared in 243 regular season games and 11 playoff games in his 15-year career. At the same time, he's 37, and the Saints are going to be without one of their three best edge rushers in a pivotal Week 1 kickoff game. Guys like Anfernee Jennings and Tyree Wilson must step up behind Chase Young and Carl Granderson.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Cameron Jordan will miss the third game of his 15-year Saints career
