Hau'oli Kikaha Injury: Updates on Saints DE's Knee and Recovery

New Orleans Saints defensive end Hau'oli Kikaha is expected to miss the entire 2016 season after suffering a torn ACL. A course of treatment has yet to be determined.

Continue for updates.

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Payton Confirms Kikaha's Status for '16, Comments on Injury

Tuesday, June 14

Saints head coach Sean Payton told reporters Kikaha is likely out for the season but will be seeking multiple opinions on how to proceed. 

Earlier on Tuesday, Payton told reporters (via the Advocate's Joel A. Erickson) that Kikaha has visited two or three doctors regarding his torn ACL but added that he expects the defensive end will undergo surgery. Payton also confirmed the injury is an ACL tear, but doctors are determining how they will repair the damage.

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Kikaha Once Again Set to Rehab Major Knee Injury

Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports pointed out that Kikaha has experience when it comes to battling back from ACL tears:

The 23-year-old registered 52 tackles and four sacks as a rookie last season.

Kikaha is a valuable piece to the Saints defense because of his pass-rushing ability and versatility. He is capable of playing both defensive end and linebacker, and he already has 11 games of starting experience to his credit.

New Orleans' depth takes a significant hit without Kikaha in the fold, particularly at defensive end.

The linebacker trio of Stephone Anthony, James Laurinaitis and Dannell Ellerbe should be good enough to hold up over the course of the season provided everyone remains healthy, but aside from Cameron Jordan, the Saints have very little in terms of outside pass-rushers.

New Orleans ranked last in scoring defense and 31st in total defense last season, and while the team made some improvements through free agency and the draft, the loss of Kikaha could make progress difficult in 2016.

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