Mason Tipton: Everything you need to know

The Saints are placing Tipton (groin) on injured reserve ahead of Sunday's Week 18 matchup with Atlanta, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports. Tipton will miss a second straight game to end the season, losing an opportunity at a top-three role with the Saints' receiving corp in a depleted state. Chris Olave also will miss Week 18 due to a blood clot in his lung, leaving Kevin Austin and Dante Pettis as the Saints' top wide receivers. They'll need practice-squad call-ups to help out this Sunday and could also deploy TEs Taysom Hill or Moliki Matavao in larger-than-usual roles. Tipton, a 2024 UDFA, finishes his second NFL season with 11 catches for 76 yards. He caught 14 passes for 99 yards as a rookie, with a similar trajectory in terms of only getting snaps after other WRs were injured. Tipton likely will need to fight for his roster spot in 2026.

Tipton (groin) did not practice Thursday. Tipton has now missed back-to-back practices to kick off preparation for Week 18. Prior to being ruled out for Week 17 he had logged three consecutive limited sessions, meaning the kick returner and rotational wideout appears to have since suffered a setback in his recovery from a lingering groin injury. Friday will represent his last chance to get onto the practice field prior to Sunday's regular-season finale against Atlanta.

Tipton (groin) did not participate in Wednesday's practice, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports. Tipton logged three consecutive limited practices prior to being ruled out to face the Titans in Week 17, so to see him now listed as a non-participant could indicate a setback in his recovery. If Tipton isn't able to gain clearance for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Falcons, expect all of Kevin Austin, Dante Pettis and practice-squad man Ronnie Bell to see increased opportunities behind No. 1 wideout Chris Olave.