NEW ORLEANS — Versatile tight end Taysom Hill made a decisive play by converting a crucial fourth down with a strong run off a direct snap, but that would mark the end of his contributions for the day. Shortly after his notable run, Hill suffered a left knee injury and had to be carted off the field during the fourth quarter with 4:36 left on the clock. This injury occurred as the New Orleans Saints were attempting to secure a tie against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday afternoon.
Despite getting another first down from quarterback Derek Carr’s scramble to the Rams’ 16-yard line, the Saints struggled to convert on their next offensive attempt. After three runs from Alvin Kamara gained a mere seven yards, Carr was unable to connect on a critical fourth down play, as edge rusher Jared Verse disrupted his throw with just 1:09 remaining, causing the pass to fall incomplete.
The impact of Hill’s injury became a primary talking point following the Saints’ 21-14 loss, which also marked the team’s first defeat in three games under interim head coach Darren Rizzi. As Hill was being taken off, he received an emotional farewell from the crowd, who chanted his name. The severity of his injury remains uncertain, and it was evident from the scene that it could be serious as his teammates gathered around while trainers tended to him on the field.
“The medical aspect is something I am not equipped to discuss,” Rizzi remarked regarding Hill’s condition. “I’ve heard both good and bad news in the past, so we’ll just have to wait for the official updates from the medical team.”
This injury adds to an already challenging season for the Saints (4-8), which has seen numerous players sidelined. In the previous matchup against the Browns, in which the Saints won decisively, Hill had an outstanding performance, rushing for 138 yards and three touchdowns, alongside eight catches for 50 yards. Despite missing four games this season, he remains tied for the lead in rushing touchdowns on the team and ranks second in rushing yards among the team while playing multiple offensive roles.
“Taysom is a unique talent that isn’t often seen in the league. His presence significantly impacts our team,” remarked fellow tight end Juwan Johnson. “His absence will definitely be felt, and we are all hoping for the best outcome regarding his injury.”
Should Hill be sidelined for an extended duration, the Saints’ offensive dynamics may change dramatically, especially with the absence of key wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed for the remainder of the season. Tackle Taliese Fuaga acknowledged Hill’s importance, stating, “We will need to adapt our strategies, as Taysom has always been a crucial element to both our offense and our overall team.”
The Saints suffered additional injury setbacks during the game. Guard Nick Saldiveri was also carted off with a left knee issue shortly before Hill, and safety Tyrann Mathieu left the game with a shoulder injury sustained while tackling Rams player Kyren Williams. However, Mathieu reassured that he felt he would be fine post-game. Furthermore, starting center Erik McCoy was already unavailable due to a groin injury he sustained during the previous week’s match.
Despite these challenges, Carr noted that the team maintained focus and was determined to rally together. “When Nick went down and then Taysom, our collective response was to ‘do it for them,’ and I felt that our guys were really determined to stay focused,” he stated.
The Saints faced a critical opportunity to make a push in the NFC South standings. A victory would have placed them just a game away from first-place Atlanta and Tampa Bay. However, despite Carr’s touchdown pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and the subsequent 2-point conversion to Dante Pettis early in the fourth quarter, it was not enough to secure the win. The Rams capitalized on their offensive opportunities, scoring touchdowns on three of their first four second-half possessions.
As the game reached its final moments, Carr expressed frustration over the loss. “I can’t say the exact word that comes to mind due to my mom’s disapproval, but I feel angry and upset,” he said when reflecting on the team’s performance. “We hold ourselves to a higher standard, and it definitely hurts to fall short.”
