Important takeaways from Kellen Moore’s press conference ahead of Day 2 of OTAs

Jan 4, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore on the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore met with the media ahead of the second day of OTAs. In the brief press conference, Moore answered vital questions ahead of the 2026 NFL season.

Multiple players absent

Moore opened the press conference with a statement rather than answering a question. The second-year head coach listed four players who won't be in attendance for OTAs: DT Nathan Shepherd, RB Alvin Kamara, QB Zach Wilson, and P Ryan Wright.

Moore didn't elaborate on why each player would be absent but mentioned personal training and injury recovery as some reasons. While some may be worried about Kamara missing OTAs, due to his future with the team being uncertain, he hasn't been an active participant with the team during OTAs over the past few years, as he chooses to do training away from the team.

WR Jordyn Tyson will be limited

Moore mentioned rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson will be limited in Thursday's practice. When asked to what extent, Moore said Tyson will do some stuff," but won't participate in 7-on-7s today. The second-year coach also mentioned the first-round pick was limited in Wednesday's practice.

Tyson is still recovering from hamstring strains that kept him out of testing ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.

No definitive answer at the slot yet

While praising safety Julian Blackman, whom the Saints brought back despite suffering a season-ending injury in Week 1 of the 2025 season, Moore touched on the team's current assessment of who will fill the slot corner role.

Moore mentioned Blackman, Jonas Sanker, and Justin Reid as capable candidates to fill that role in a slot corner by committee type of way, but specifically mentioned Sanker as playing the star role.

The second-year head coach was also asked about recently signed cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. Moore mentioned Emerson's role as an outside cornerback, and said the team is ramping him up back from injury.

Moore mentioned Sanker as someone who can play the star.

- Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) May 28, 2026

Joint practices

Moore mentioned the Saints will have a joint practice with all three teams they will face in the preseason: the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, and the Los Angeles Rams.

The Saints will first host the Jaguars for joint practices in Metairie, then will host a single practice with both the Cowboys and Rams in Los Angeles before their Week 2 preseason game.

Getting the joint practices going pic.twitter.com/sxOGg9FVMo

- New Orleans Saints (@Saints) May 28, 2026