We expected this outcome, but that doesn't make it less disappointing. On Sunday, New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore confirmed that defensive tackle Bryan Bresee will be undergoing surgery to repair the torn ligament in his knee. It isn't the same knee he injured at Clemson, but it's still a setback for Bresee. He'll miss the 2026 season recovering.
ACL tears like this one can take up to a year to recover from, depending on the severity and how the athlete's body responds to treatment. It's just one example but Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft was back at practice in a little under nine months. Because the Saints already picked up Bresee's fifth-year option for 2027, he'll have one more season left on his contract when he does
return to the field next spring.
Either way, this is a tough blow for a Saints defense already short on difference makers. We saw last year that this defensive coordinator Brandon Staley runs a tight ship, and while his unit is well-coached, they just don't have many high-end athletes who have an intrinsic edge on their opponents. Bresee was one of them. Other players in the defensive front must step up. If they can't, the Saints may have to explore their options in free agency and the trade market. At least they'll have more resources to work with after signing Chris Olave to a contract extension.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Kellen Moore confirms season-ending surgery for Saints DT Bryan Bresee
