Cameron Jordan dealing with hammy issue

Jordan returns to the Big Easy for a 16th season. He’ll get an incentive-laden deal per Ian Rapoport. Jordan has played 48 and 54 percent of the snaps for the Saints over the past two seasons, respectively. He’ll be part of — but not the linchpin of — New Orleans’ pass rush rotation in 2026.

The 15-year veteran has spent the entirety of his career wearing the black and gold in New Orleans but chose to test free agency heading into 2026. After a rather slow market through June, the two sides agreed to meet to discuss a return to the Saints. Saints beat reporter Matthew Paras reported late Monday that the two sides have made progress on a potential deal that would see the franchise’s all-time sacks leader return, but no other outlet has reported an impending agreement. The soon-to-be 37-year-old likely wouldn’t be in line for a robust snap rate should he return to New Orleans, but there is something to be said of the leadership and proven track record he would bring back to a familiar roster.

The need is clearly there with second-round pick Jaylahn Tuimoloau, Micheal Clemons and Arden Key competing for the role next to Laiatu Latu at the moment. Boyd also mentions Cameron Jordan, Jadeveon Clowney and Leonard Floyd among others as possibilities. The veteran edge rusher and wideout markets are still unfolding ahead of training camp.

Jordan hasn’t had a robust free-agency market, which is unsurprising as he’s a 37-year-old, but he did notch 10.5 sacks last season. He’ll likely sign later in free agency after he stops counting against the compensatory formula. The Chiefs are the first team we’ve directly heard interested in him, but he’s been suggested as a stopgap by several beats on other teams as well. The market should be decent for Jordan when he’s ready to make a decision.

Jordan spent 15 seasons with the Saints after they drafted him as a first-round pick back in 2011. He racked up 10.5 sacks last season and, incredibly, turns 37 years old in May. Jordan recently told reporters that he is not seeking “top dollar,” he simply wants to be “valued.” Over The Cap currently lists the Saints as being $11.6 million in the red this season, which at least partially explains why the team may be hesitant to invest in an older player. While it would be fun to see the two sides figure out a contract solution, it would also be fun to see Jordan sign on as a rotational pass rusher with a playoff contender.

Jordan announced on his Instagram that he will be returning for his 15th season in the NFL. He will be 36 years old to start the season and agreed to a reworked contract to return to New Orleans. Spending his entire career with the Saints, Jordan has totaled 121.5 career sacks over 14 seasons but has just six over the last two. No longer the player he used to be, it is possible Jordan just plays out his contract into retirement.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Jordan signed a deal that freed up $1.5 million in cap space for the Saints. Jordan is just the latest Saint to re-work his deal as the team once again looks to get below the cap before the start of the new league year. A 13-year vet, Jordan has 117.5 career sacks to his name but managed just two sacks in 17 games last year. Jordan will be 35 at the start of next season and is clearly on the back nine of his career.

Jordan’s production saw quite a dip in 2023, but he attributed much of his struggles to an ankle injury that bothered him all season. Despite playing in all 17 games for the Saints this season, Jordan managed just 43 tackles and two sacks — his lowest sack total since his rookie season. Jordan is under contract with the Saints through 2025 and is owed $13 million next season. He carries a dead cap hit of nearly $49 million, meaning he’ll be on the roster as long as he decides to continue playing. His comments on Monday suggest he won’t be hanging things up anytime soon.

Jordan was a DNP on Wednesday but managed to get in limited practices on both Thursday and Friday to close out the week. Jordan has hit a bit of a wall this season, totaling 36 tackles and two sacks through 12 games. Jordan is on pace to finish the year with three sacks, which would mark his fewest since his rookie season when he managed just one sack in 16 games.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan is listed as questionable because of an ankle issue. He did not practice at all this week and looks likely to miss Week 13 as well. Though still a strong defensive unit, the Saints, now undermanned, are an easier matchup for the Lions than expected. Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Sam LaPorta are all top-12 fantasy options at their respective positions this week.