Getty Image / Jonathan Bachman
Earlier this week, the New Orleans Saints turned to free agency to try and improve their offensive line.
The team needed some help at right guard, so they signed Trai Turner to a one-year deal.
Turner was once one of the top guards in the NFL. After being drafted by the Carolina Panthers in 2014, Turner ended up making the Pro Bowl in every year from 2015 to 2019.
Since then, he has bounced around the league a bit. He was traded to the Chargers in 2020.
The Chargers cut him after one season and he moved on to the Steelers. After a year with them, he made his way over to the Commanders.
Despite bouncing around year after year, Turner has been a starter in every stop, including making 12 starts for the Commanders last year.
This year, he would have likely been the starting right guard for the Saints.
Unfortunately, it looks like he won’t be getting that chance.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Turner tore his quadriceps today and is going to be out for the rest of the season.
Former Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner, who just signed this week with the New Orleans Saints, tore his quadriceps and is out for the season, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 28, 2023
It’s extremely unfortunate timing as Turner had just signed with the Saints a few days ago.
Now the New Orleans Saints may have to turn back to the free agent market to try and find themselves a guard.
There is still an interesting veteran option the Saints could turn to on the free agent market. Gabe Jackson is available after starting 31 games for the Seahawks over the last 2 seasons.
For Trai Turner, it’s a major setback as he looked to prove that he can still be a starting guard in the NFL.