A key leader sidelined. The Saints' secondary faces a void as their veteran safety's knee injury impacts defensive depth and locker room presence.
The New Orleans Saints suffered a significant blow to their defensive secondary on Sunday, (November 30, 2025), as veteran safety Justin Reid was ruled out with knee injury against the Miami Dolphins.
The injury occurred early in the game, forcing Reid to the sidelines almost immediately. While the defensive leader attempted to return to the field, the injury proved too severe, and he was quickly taken to the locker room and officially ruled out for the remainder of the 21-17 loss to Miami.
A Cause for Concern
The early exit for Reid is a worrying development for the Saints, especially considering the impact he has had on the defense. Reid went down during the very first defensive series of the game. He tried to re-enter the game for one snap but could not continue, indicating the seriousness of the issue. Reid is currently tied for third on the team in combined tackles and has been an instrumental leader and versatile chess piece in the secondary.
What's Next? Prognosis and Depth
Following the game, Saints Head Coach Kellen Moore provided a preliminary update, suggesting Reid may face a stint on the sidelines. "He's got his knee. We'll see how that progresses," Moore told media on Monday. "Obviously, potential for some missed time there, but we'll let it progress."
This cautious update means the team is awaiting further evaluation, likely an MRI, to determine the full extent of the injury and a precise timeline for his return.
Stepping Up in His Absence
In Reid's absence, the Saints' defensive depth was tested immediately. Veteran safeties Jordan Howden and Terrell Burgess split the responsibilities, with both seeing significant playing time to fill the void left by the starter. Rookie safety Jonas Sanker also factored into the rotation.
Player Position/ Role vs. Dolphins (Post-Injury)
Jordan Howden Safety | Split snaps at the position (40 defensive snaps)
Terrell Burgess Safety | Split snaps at the position (42 defensive snaps)
Jonas Sanker Safety | Appeared in 77% of defensive snaps
Leader Off the Field
Beyond his on-field contributions, the loss of Reid is also a hit to the locker room. He has been cited as an integral leader for the team, with his voice and presence respected across the entire roster. If he does miss time, his leadership will be needed on the sideline as the team prepares for their next matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The New Orleans Saints will be closely monitoring Reid's recovery this week, with the hope that one of their defensive stalwarts can return sooner rather than later.