The New Orleans Saints organization faces an early and significant setback for the upcoming 2025 National Football League season with the critical loss of promising offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri.

Reports confirm that Saldiveri, a key component of the team’s future plans and a notable player for the New Orleans Saints, has been officially placed on the Injured Reserve list due to a significant knee injury, effectively ending his participation for the entire 2025 NFL season.

The unfortunate news was initially brought to light by Ross Jackson of LouisianaSports.net, with further confirmation surfacing from reports citing Kellen Moore, highlighting the immediacy and severity of the situation for the Saints’ roster and their offensive line depth.

An official statement released by New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis corroborated these initial reports, detailing the team’s swift action in response to Nick Saldiveri’s season-ending injury and the subsequent roster adjustment.

To address the immediate void created by Saldiveri’s unforeseen absence on the Injured Reserve, the Saints promptly moved to bolster their offensive line depth by signing veteran center/guard Shane Lemieux as a free agent.

Lemieux, a robust 6-foot-4, 310-pound five-year NFL veteran, brings a wealth of experience to the team, having originally been selected by the New York Giants in the fifth round (150th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Oregon.

This signing marks Shane Lemieux’s return to the “Black and Gold” after previously appearing in seven games last season with the Saints, including four starts at center, demonstrating his proven versatility and existing familiarity with the Saints’ system and playbook.

His addition provides crucial depth and seasoned experience to the offensive line, aiming to mitigate some of the immediate concerns arising from Nick Saldiveri’s unexpected and premature departure from the 2025 NFL campaign due to his knee injury.