Roster Move Announced

The New Orleans Saints placed rookie defensive back Lorenzo Styles Jr. on injured reserve on Tuesday, as reported by both NBC Sports and The Baton Rouge Advocate. The move comes after Styles suffered a calf injury during the team's second preseason game, a loss to the Los Angeles Rams on August 22.

Styles, a fifth-round pick out of Ohio State (172nd overall), will now miss at least the first four games of the 2024 season. Under NFL rules, being placed on injured reserve requires a minimum four-week absence.

The Saints made the roster move in part to accommodate a new addition. According to NBC Sports, the team claimed cornerback Decameron Richardson off waivers, needing the roster spot for him.

The Baton Rouge Advocate provided additional context on the decision to keep Styles on the initial 53-man roster. The report noted that the Saints kept Styles on the roster because had they placed him on injured reserve earlier, the rookie would have been forced to sit out the entire season. The Advocate also reported that the Saints used their two designated-for-return injured reserve exceptions on cutdown day for rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) and linebacker Jaylan Ford (undisclosed).

Player Background

Styles was selected by the Saints with the 172nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. During his final season with the Buckeyes, he recorded 30 tackles and two pass breakups in 12 games, according to NBC Sports. He also returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.