National Football League

Junior Galette suffers pectoral injury, surgery possible

Published Jun. 5, 2015 4:54 a.m. ET

foxsports

By Vincent Frank

This might end up being some real bad news for the New Orleans Saints. Fresh off signing one franchise cornerstone in Cameron Jordan to a long-term extension, the team might find itself without another key defender for the foreseeable future.

Star linebacker Junior Galette is expected to play a huge role in the team’s defense this upcoming season. He’s coming off back-to-back double-digit sack campaigns and is New Orleans only 3-4 outside linebacker with a tremendous amount of past success in this role.

Unfortunately for the Saints, Galette suffered a pectoral injury recently,and may require surgery (via Fox Sports).

While the extent of the injury is not yet known, when we hear pectoral, it has to be cause for alarm. Players who undergo surgery stemming from a pectoral injury are generally sidelined for approximately six months. Though, some decide to hold off on surgery and play through the pain. If Galette is unable to do that, it’s going to be a major blow for New Orleans.

Saints outside linebackers recorded 16 sacks last season, 10 of which came from Galette himself. Without his presence in the team’s 3-4 scheme, it would have to rely on an injury-plagued Anthony Spencer and a bunch of unproven players to hold down the fort. That would cause some major issues for a secondary that is in the process of improving after a few dreadful seasons. Without much of a pass rush, the Saints defense is going to struggle big time.

Let’s hope for the Saints' sake, this injury won’t require surgery. That’s the last thing Sean Payton and company need right now.

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