On **July 30, 2025**, New Orleans faced a troubling development in their training camp as veteran tight end **Juwan Johnson** sustained an injury that forced his exit midway through a practice session. The incident ranks among the more concerning knocks the team has taken during camp — and given both his role and recent contract, carries considerable weight for the team’s early-week preparations.([Canal Street Chronicles][1])
The injury came shortly after safety **J.T. Gray** and linemen **Treyton Welch** and **Ridgeway** also suffered setbacks — though Johnson’s situation drew outsized attention. As the team’s top receiving tight end and a fresh three‑year extension recipient, his absence triggered immediate questions over depth and offensive continuity.([Canal Street Chronicles][1])
### Nature and Initial Prognosis
According to a **July 30 report** by NBC Sports, Johnson’s issue is confirmed as a **groin injury**, but sources characterize it as **“not serious”**, projecting an absence of only **a few days at most**.([NBC Sports][2]) Fantasy‑focused outlets likewise noted that he picked up an **undisclosed yet likely minor injury**, and expected a quick recovery timeline.([thefantasyfootballers.com][3])
### Context: Johnson’s Injury History and Role
Johnson, now 28, has battled injuries before. Last offseason, he underwent **foot surgery** after developing a stress fracture, causing him to miss most of training camp. He returned later in a limited “pitch‑count” role to begin the 2024 season as the team eased him back into offensive snaps.([Audacy][4]) Despite that, he logged a career‑best season in 2024 with **50 receptions, 548 yards, and three touchdowns**.([NBC Sports][2])
During the current training camp, Johnson had been a standout through Day 4, thriving under **first-time Saints head coach Kellen Moore**. His chemistry and consistency in red‑zone drills reinforced his importance in the passing attack — so his injury comes at a particularly delicate phase.([Canal Street Chronicles][5])
### What This Means for the Saints
Given Johnson’s temporary incapacitation, the Saints may need to **explore alternate tight-end options**, potentially revisiting the free-agent market. **Noah Fant** has already received attention as a possible target.([Canal Street Chronicles][1]) While the severity appears minimal, the timing is awkward — just as the offense aims to coalesce with new personnel and scheme.
Johnson’s three‑year, **\$30.75 million extension**, inked in **March 2025**, underscores the team’s investment in him moving forward — and justifies caution in his workload management, especially during camp.([Reddit][6])
### What’s Next?
* Expect Johnson to miss a few days pending further evaluation and potential imaging.
* The Saints’ medical staff will likely test him before allowing contact return, particularly in groin-heavy red-zone activity.
* Backup tight ends like **Foster Moreau, Dallin Holker, or Michael Jacobson** may see increased roles if Johnson remains out longer than anticipated.
* Decisions to sign additional depth — possibly someone like **Noah Fant** — may be expedited depending on Johnson’s recovery timeline.
While early reporting suggests Juwan Johnson’s groin injury is **minor and short‑term**, the situation still raises **noteworthy concerns** for the Saints’ tight-end room. He remains a key piece of the offense and was performing well under Coach Kellen Moore. Still, with his history and recent investment, the team must handle him carefully — and be ready with contingency plans if he doesn’t return quickly. Saints fans will want clarity on his timeline within the next 48–72 hours to better assess how the offense shapes up heading into preseason.
Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of potential replacements, red-zone scheming with available tight ends, or a preview of how this might impact Week 1 depth charts.
* [Canal Street Chronicles](https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/7/30/24477440/three-new-injuries-at-saints-training-camp?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
* [Canal Street Chronicles](https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/7/27/24475470/top-takeaways-from-day-4-of-saints-training-camp?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
[1]: https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2025/7/30/24477440/three-new-injuries-at-saints-training-camp?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Three new injuries at Saints training camp”
[2]: https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/report-saints-te-juwan-johnsons-groin-injury-is-not-serious?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Report: Saints TE Juwan Johnson’s groin injury is not serious – NBC Sports”