JUSTIN REID AND JONAS SANKER 2025 SEASON ANALYSIS
Saints safetiesJustin Reid and Jonas Sanker emerged as a cornerstone of the defense, holding down the defensive backfield for majority of the season. Reid started 15 games, missing two to a knee injury, while the rookie Sanker played in all 17 — taking over as the starter in Week 2 following an injury to Julian Blackmon.
Reid signed with the Saints in free agency and made an immediate impact as a veteran voice in the locker room and earning a selection as a team captain in his first season back in his home state. Reid accumulated 72 tackles (37 solo) including two tackles for loss and a half sack, six pass deflections and an interception returned 49 yards for a touchdown.
Initially anticipated as a core special teams player by the coaching staff heading into the season, Sanker took on a prominent role following Blackmon's injury. The third-round pick made the most of his opportunity recording 80 tackles (46 solo) including three tackles for loss, six pass deflections, two interceptions returned for 29 yards and a fumble recovery returned for 27 yards.
BEST GAME OF JUSTIN REID AND JONAS SANKER'S 2025 SEASON
In Week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons, Justin Reid picked off quarterback Kirk Cousins and returned it 49 yards for the score, recording his first interception as a Saints player and his first pick-six since a 101-yard return as a rookie on Nov. 18, 2018. Reid also added seven tackles (three solo).
Sanker had a breakout performance in his third game as a starter. In Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills, Sanker racked up a season-high three pass deflections and recorded his first career interception, picking off Pro Bowl quarterback Josh Allen. Sanker also added five tackles (four solo).
Justin Reid on Jonas Sanker stepping into a starting role following Julian Blackmon's injury:
His story follows my story. My rookie year I started the second game of the season for the same reason — that there was an injury that came up in the first game and I started the second game — so I already talked to Jonas a little bit about that. And he'll be ready for the moment. He shined in preseason, he was flying around all over the ball and we just need that same player to play on Sunday. And his best will be good enough for us.
Check out photos of New Orleans Saints safeties Justin Reid and Jonas Sanker in action throughout the 2025 NFL season.
S Justin Reid (21) runs for a pick-six during the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 23, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
S Jonas Sanker (33) covers S Justin Reid (21) as he runs with the intercepted ball during the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 23, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
S Justin Reid (21) makes a tackle during the New Orleans Saints game against the Arizona Cardinals for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL Season on Sept. 7, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
S Jonas Sanker (33) lines up during the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers for Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season on Sept. 14, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
S Jonas Sanker (33) makes a tackle during the New Orleans Saints game against the San Francisco 49ers for Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season on Sept. 14, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
S Justin Reid (21) tracks the play during the New Orleans Saints game against the Seattle Seahawks for Week 3 of the 2025 NFL Season on Sept. 21, 2025 at Lumen Field.
S Jonas Sanker (33) tracks the play during the New Orleans Saints game against the Seattle Seahawks for Week 3 of the 2025 NFL Season on Sept. 21, 2025 at Lumen Field.
S Jonas Sanker (33) recovers a fumble during the New Orleans Saints game against the New York Giants for Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 5, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
S Justin Reid (21) makes a tackle during the New Orleans Saints game against the New York Giants for Week 5 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 5, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
S Jonas Sanker (33) makes a tackle during the New Orleans Saints game against the New England Patriots for Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season on October 12, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
S Jonas Sanker (33) makes a tackle during the New Orleans Saints game against the New England Patriots for Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season on October 12, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
S Jonas Sanker (33) communicates with the defense during the New Orleans Saints game against the New England Patriots for Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season on October 12, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
S Justin Reid (21) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the New England Patriots for Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season on October 12, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
S Justin Reid (21) makes a tackle during the New Orleans Saints game against the New England Patriots for Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season on October 12, 2025 at Caesars Superdome.
S Justin Reid (21) runs during the New Orleans Saints game against the Chicago Bears for Week 7 of the 2025 NFL season on Oct. 19, 2025 at Soldier Field.
S Justin Reid (21) celebrates during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tennessee Titans for Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 28, 2025 at Nissan Stadium.
S Jonas Sanker (33) reacts to the offense during the New Orleans Saints game against the Los Angeles Rams for Week 9 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 2, 2025 at SoFi Stadium.
S Justin Reid (21) jumps to break up a pass during the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 23, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
S Justin Reid (21) runs for a pick-six during the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 23, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
S Justin Reid (21) celebrates in the endzone during the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season on Nov. 23, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
S Jonas Sanker (33) tackles Panthers' Chuba Hubbard (30) during the New Orleans Saints game against the Carolina Panthers for Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 14, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
S Jonas Sanker (33) makes a tackle during the New Orleans Saints game against the Carolina Panthers for Week 15 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 14, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
S Justin Reid (21) covers during the New Orleans Saints game against the New York Jets for Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 21, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
S Jonas Sanker (33) breaks up a pass during the New Orleans Saints game against the New York Jets for Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 21, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
S Jonas Sanker (33) catches an interception during the New Orleans Saints game against the New York Jets for Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 21, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
S Jonas Sanker (33) intercepts the ball during the New Orleans Saints game against the New York Jets for Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 21, 2025 at the Caesars Superdome.
S Justin Reid (21) runs during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tennessee Titans for Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 28, 2025 at Nissan Stadium.
S Jonas Sanker (33) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Tennessee Titans for Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season on Dec. 28, 2025 at Nissan Stadium.
S Justin Reid (21) in action during the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season on Jan. 4, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
S Jonas Sanker (33) defends during the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season on Jan. 4, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
