Bryan Bresee: Everything you need to know

The Saints have picked up Bresee's fifth-year contract option, Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune reports. As a result of the move, Bresee, who was the Saints' 2023 first-round pick, will be under contract with the team for the 2027 season under a deal estimated to be "north of $13 million," per Paras. The 24-year-old logged 37 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 15 regular-season games in 2025 while seeing action on a career-high 69 percent of New Orleans' defensive snaps. Considering that he recorded 7.5 sacks in 2024, Bresee -- who is presumably past the knee issue he dealt with late last season -- is a bounce-back candidate this year in his starting role along the Saints' defensive line.

Bresee (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Falcons, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports. Bresee hasn't returned to practice since sustaining a knee injury in the Week 16 win over the Jets, so it's no surprise he'll be sidelined Sunday. The third-year pro from Clemson had a relatively underwhelming 2025 campaign, recording 37 total tackles, including 2.5 sacks, three passes defensed and one forced fumble over 15 appearances. Expect Jonathan Bullard and John Ridgeway to have expanded roles on New Orleans' defensive line while Bresee and Nathan Shepherd (ankle) are sidelined in Week 18.

Bresee (knee) did not practice Wednesday. Bresee didn't practice at all last week and sat out Sunday's win over Tennessee. With a DNP to begin Week 18 prep, his potential to return to action for New Orleans' season finale this coming Sunday in Atlanta is shaky, at best. Should Bresee need to sit out again, Jonathan Bullard and Nathan Shepherd (ankle) would be candidates for more defensive snaps.