New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore didn’t sugarcoat it when asked about Justin Reid on Monday.
The veteran safety is dealing with a knee injury suffered in the loss to the Miami Dolphins, and Moore admitted there is “potential for some missed time,” putting Reid’s availability for Week 14 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers firmly in doubt.
For a 2-10 team that just got officially eliminated from playoff contention, it’s another gut punch to a defense leaning heavily on one of its captains.
Kellen Moore Delivers Tough Justin Reid Knee Update
Reid went down on the first defensive snap against Miami, tried to battle through it, and eventually headed back to the locker room for good. The Saints quickly ruled him out with a knee injury during the 21-17 loss.
On Monday, Moore was asked specifically for an update on “Justin.” His answer matched what’s been circulating from beat reporters and local radio:
“He’s got his knee,” Moore said. “We’ll see how that progresses. Obviously, potential for some missed time there, but we’ll let it progress.”
There’s still no firm diagnosis or timetable being reported. Multiple outlets have described the update as cautious, noting that it doesn’t sound like a one-day issue and that Reid’s name will be one to watch on the injury report all week.
At minimum, the tone from Moore makes it clear the Saints have to start planning as if they’ll be without their starting safety, at least in the short term.
What Justin Reid’s Knee Injury Means for the Saints Defense
This isn’t just any starter going down.
Reid signed with New Orleans on a three-year deal worth roughly $31 million after winning two Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs, brought in to stabilize the back end of the defense and add leadership to a young secondary.
Through 11 games with the Saints in 2025, he’s logged 60 total tackles (33 solo), four passes defended and one interception, per league stat sites.
That interception? A 49-yard pick-six against Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12 — the Saints’ only touchdown in that game and Reid’s first score since his rookie year.
He’s also been one of the few consistent bright spots in an otherwise rough season, grading out as an above-average run defender and steady presence in Moore’s back-end structure.
If Reid can’t go, the Saints will have to lean on their safety depth, which Moore actually praised in the same media session. He pointed to multiple backups who’ve stayed ready on special teams and in sub-packages all year and “seem to make plays every single time out there.”
Still, you don’t just replace a Pro Bowl-caliber veteran, defensive signal-caller and locker-room voice overnight. If Reid misses time, the communication and tackling standard he sets on the back end becomes the biggest loss.
Stats, Schedule & Context After Reid’s Injury
The timing of the injury is brutal for a Saints team that somehow still keeps finding new ways to lose close games.
New Orleans fell 21-17 in Miami after clawing back from a 16-0 deficit, with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough throwing two touchdowns and international kicker Charlie Smyth drilling a 56-yarder in his debut. The comeback died on a late fourth-and-1 sneak after a recovered onside kick.
The loss dropped the Saints to 2-10, officially eliminating them from the playoffs and shifting the focus to development, evaluation — and keeping what’s left of the core healthy.
For now, all Moore will commit to is that the team will “let it progress” and see how the knee responds. But when the head coach is already talking about “potential for some missed time,” fans shouldn’t be surprised if Justin Reid is standing on the sideline in street clothes when the Saints kick off in Tampa on Sunday.
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