Saints DT Khalen Saunders reportedly out for several weeks with calf injury

The New Orleans Saints are heading into the 2024 NFL season with a much improved defensive line, but injuries can always change that. According to Nick Underhill, Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders will be out for several weeks due to a calf injury.

Given this news, there is a chance the Saints could opt to place Saunders on the injured list to begin the season. That would make him unavailable for the first four games of the season, but it would also free up another roster spot for today's 53-man roster deadline. The Saints typically enter the season with four defensive tackles on the final roster. If Saunders is placed on the injured list, the fourth spot is up for grabs, and the Saints will likely choose between Jack Heflin and Kendal Vickers.

Heading into the 2024 regular season, Saunders was looking to improve on last year. In 2023, he started all 17 games for the Saints and recorded 57 tackles (24 solo) and one pass defensed. His injury is a blow to that improvement, but there is hope that he can still show his development once he returns. In the games where Saunders could miss, Khristian Boyd will likely be more involved and make a big contribution to stopping the run.