The New Orleans Saints placed second-year running back Devin Neal on injured reserve ahead of the 53-man roster deadline on Sunday, thus ending his season. Although this is a brutal blow to a talented young player, it may be his most beneficial move and sets him up well for his future.
Neal was placed on IR because of a nagging hamstring injury he reaggravated in the Saints’ week two preseason loss against the Los Angeles Rams. This isn’t the first injury he’s suffered in the NFL, as he was limited to 10 games his rookie season and has been sidelined multiple times this offseason. It was clear that something needed to change, as he was never sidelined in his five-year collegiate career, and taking a season to recover may be it.
Putting Neal on IR was an easy decision for the coaching staff. Yes, he’s an uber-talented player who could be a significant contributor, but roster spots were tight, and this allowed them to smuggle Neal into 2026 and not risk him going through waivers. Additionally, this helps him recover and become a dynamic weapon that fans know he can be.
Devin Neal rehabbing for a year rather than returning to bolster a less crowded running back room is wise for his career.
It’s no secret that the Saints have a loaded running back room, highlighted by Travis Etienne Jr. and Alvin Kamara. Behind them, they have explosive and reliable depth options like Kendre Miller and Audric Estime. Neal would have contended for a spot without his injury and likely would’ve had one, but missing time left his spot unknown and gave other players an advantage.
Instead of rushing Neal back and risking another serious injury, letting him recover and be fully healthy, which he hasn’t been since entering the league, is a smart move by the coaching staff. The Saints’ running back unit could look different next offseason, with Kamara's future up in the air and Miller being an unrestricted free agent. As a result, him waiting for this and bolstering a weaker group is wise.
Neal has been productive when healthy, tallying 310 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns in his rookie season, which again was limited by injury. The former sixth-round pick’s mixture of power and elusiveness makes him a well-rounded player who is impactful on every down. Although missing 2026 is a huge blow, it’s the best move for Neal’s future.
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