The New Orleans Saints did not need another reminder about the importance of wide receiver depth, but Jordyn Tyson’s latest injury scare provided one anyway.
Tyson, the Saints’ No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, left Thursday’s joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars because of an apparent hamstring injury. Head coach Kellen Moore did not have an immediate update, with more information expected Friday. Early reports indicate the injury is not believed to be serious, but the situation is worth monitoring given Tyson’s history with hamstring problems.
For New Orleans, the incident also highlighted why Devaughn Vele could be one of the most important players on the roster this season.
Vele entered the offseason with something to prove after showing flashes during his first season with the Saints. He finished 2025 with 25 receptions for 293 yards and two touchdowns in 13 appearances before a shoulder injury ended his season.
Now, his role could become even more significant.
Vele provides insurance
The Saints invested heavily in their receiver room this offseason. Tyson was the centerpiece, while New Orleans also added additional young talent through the draft. The goal was to give quarterback Tyler Shough a deeper collection of weapons and create more explosive possibilities in Kellen Moore’s offense.
But depth only matters if those players can stay available.
Tyson has already dealt with injuries throughout his football career, including hamstring issues during his final season at Arizona State. That history was one of the biggest concerns surrounding him entering the draft, even though his talent ultimately convinced New Orleans to select him eighth overall.
If Tyson misses time, Vele suddenly becomes even more valuable.
Vele has already shown he can produce
The encouraging part for the Saints is that Vele isn’t an unknown quantity.
After arriving in New Orleans via trade from Denver, he began to establish himself as a dependable target. He particularly emerged late in the 2025 season before his shoulder injury shut him down.
At 6-foot-5 and around 210 pounds, Vele gives the Saints a different physical profile from some of their other receivers. He can use his size and catch radius to win contested situations, making him particularly useful when an offense needs a reliable third-down or red-zone target.
That versatility could be crucial if Tyson’s availability becomes inconsistent.
Chris Olave can’t carry everything
Chris Olave remains the centerpiece of the Saints’ receiving corps, but expecting one player to handle the entire burden would be unrealistic.
New Orleans’ offense needs multiple reliable targets if Shough is going to take the next step. Tyson was drafted specifically to give the unit another high-level playmaker, while Vele can provide a dependable complement when defenses focus heavily on Olave.
The Saints’ receiver room was dramatically reshaped during the draft, with Tyson, Barion Brown and Bryce Lance all joining the organization. The additions were designed to improve both talent and depth.
The injury is a reminder, not a disaster
It’s important not to overreact.
There is currently no indication that Tyson’s injury is season-threatening, and the Saints are expected to provide more information. A minor hamstring issue during training camp can be very different from a long-term absence.
Still, the situation reinforces the importance of Vele.
If Tyson is healthy, Vele can compete for a significant complementary role. If Tyson misses time, Vele could be asked to take on an even larger workload.
Either way, the Saints need him.
**Tyson’s injury may not ultimately be serious, but it has made one thing crystal clear: Devaughn Vele’s value to New Orleans extends well beyond simply being another receiver on the roster.**
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