Another tough break for Nick Saldiveri. The New Orleans Saints offensive lineman, a 2023 fourth-round draft pick, has been placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, officially ending his 2026 season before it could even begin.

Saldiveri's journey has been plagued by misfortune. He suffered a knee injury early last summer that cut his 2025 season short during training camp, and the lingering effects have now derailed his 2026 campaign. This is just the latest in a string of setbacks for the former Old Dominion standout, who previously battled through calf and shoulder surgeries earlier in his Saints career.

The Saints originally drafted Saldiveri as a versatile lineman, but his transition from right tackle in college to left guard in New Orleans never fully took hold. Injuries kept him out of the lineup, limiting him to just 15 game appearances—and only six starts—between 2023 and 2024. It's a frustrating case of bad luck for a player who showed promise.

With 2026 marking the final year of his rookie contract, this move likely signals the end of Saldiveri's time in New Orleans. The Saints, meanwhile, have some roster flexibility. They were previously granted a roster exemption for Irish kicker Charlie Smyth through the NFL's International Player Pathway program, which freed up a spot before they signed rookie wide receiver Brock Rechsteiner. After adding Rechsteiner and moving Saldiveri to the season-ending PUP list, the team should still have one vacancy on their 90-man roster.

For Saints fans, it's a reminder of how quickly injuries can reshape a roster—and how important depth and durability are in the NFL grind.