The New Orleans Saints continue to deal with injuries in their backfield: Saints running back Ty Chandler suffered a knee injury that will knock him out for the year, as did tight end Moliki Matavao. Saints head coach Kellen Moore announced Tuesday that Chandler and Matavao are both going on injured reserve, ending their seasons.
Both players suffered these injury in Week 2 of the preseason against the Los Angeles Rams. The initial concern surrounding Chandler’s knee was already significant; Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reported on Monday that the injury was feared to be serious and that Chandler was expected to be sidelined for an extended period.
New Orleans is already without Alvin Kamara, who is recovering from a sprained MCL, while Devin Neal has been dealing with a hamstring injury and Audric Estime is dealing with an ankle injury. The Saints brought in reinforcements on Sunday by acquiring RB Zamir White from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for linebacker Deion Jones. That leaves Travis Etienne Jr., Kendre Miller, and White as the Saints’ remaining options in the backfield while the team works through its injuries.
Chandler signed a one-year deal with the Saints this offseason after spending his first four years with the Minnesota Vikings. The 2022 fifth-round pick will now regroup and attack his recovery before inevitably becoming an unrestricted free agent after the 2026 season.
Matavao had a chance to make the 53-man roster if the Saints kept four tight ends, but they’re probably going to stick with Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant, and Oscar Delp (who is dealing with a hamstring injury) now that his year is over. New Orleans picked Matavao in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft and stashed him on their practice squad for his rookie season. It’s a disappointing setback for a young player who had enjoyed a productive summer.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: New Orleans Saints lose two players to season-ending injured reserve
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