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Saints 2025 Season Recap | Safeties Justin Reid and Jonas Sanker

Productive seasons for Reid and Sanker hold down the backfield 

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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.

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