What happened: Kellen Moore confirmed Sunday that Bryan Bresee will undergo the operation. Rehabilitation will now point toward a return in 2027.
Why it matters: New Orleans must replace a 2023 first-round pick in the middle of its defensive line. The injury wipes out the season immediately preceding Bresee's guaranteed option year.
By the numbers: The Saints exercised Bresee's fifth-year option this spring, securing a guaranteed $13.9 million salary for 2027.
What to watch: Attention turns to the Saints' interior rotation during preseason and Bresee's progress after surgery.