Rico Payton Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Vikings vs Giants game on Sunday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 2, 2025
Active Sunday
Payton (lower body) is active for Sunday's matchup with the 49ers, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
The cornerback will make his season debut after landing on injured reserve in late August. Payton will likely play mostly on special teams, though he could see time on defense with Cor'Dale Flott (concussion) and Paulson Adebo (knee) both out.
Nov 1, 2025
Could return for Week 9
Payton was activated from injured reserve Saturday, Dan Salomone of the Giants' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Payton landed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury in late August and could be in line to make his season debut. He would likely contribute primarily on special teams, though the Giants will be without both Cor'Dale Flott (concussion) and Paulson Adebo (knee). Payton officially remains questionable for Sunday's game against the 49ers, so his status will not become clear until shortly before kickoff.
Oct 29, 2025
Designated to return
Payton (hamstring) was designated to return from the injured reserve list Wednesday, Art Stapleton of The Bergen Record reports.
ANALYSIS
The Pittsburgh State product has yet to play this season due to a hamstring injury, but it now appears he's nearing a return. Payton appeared in 16 games for the Saints last season and played 242 special-teams snaps, recording 11 total tackles. He now has 21 days to be added to the Giants' active roster before reverting to IR, and he'll likely have a similar role once fully healthy.
Aug 29, 2025
Going to IR
The Giants placed Payton (undisclosed) on their injured reserve list Friday, Dan Salomone and Matt Citak of the team's official site report.
ANALYSIS
Payton was claimed by the Giants from waivers Wednesday after the Saints cut him Tuesday, but he's now going straight to the injured reserve list. Because of the timing of the transaction, he'll have to stay there until the end of the 2025 season unless he works out an injury settlement with his new team.
Aug 27, 2025
Scooped by Giants
Payton (illness) was claimed off waivers by the Giants on Wednesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Payton was waived by the Saints on Tuesday but found a new home in the Big Apple. Through 16 games last season, Payton mostly played on special teams but recorded 11 tackles (six solo). He'll likely serve in a similar role in New York.
Aug 11, 2025
Active for preseason opener
Payton (illness) was active for the Saints' 27-13 preseason loss to the Chargers on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
Payton was battling an illness at practice ahead of the contest, but he was ultimately able to give it a go, recording a solo tackle and a pass defensed against Los Angeles. The 25-year-old is competing for a depth role at cornerback this season, and he will now look to build off his performance when the Saints face the Jaguars on Sunday.
Aug 8, 2025
Sideliend by illness
Payton did not practice Friday due to an illness, Jeff Nowak of Audacy Sports reports.
ANALYSIS
Payton contributed almost exclusively on special teams in 2024 and is likely set for the same role in 2025. There's no timeline for his return, but his absence will likely be brief.
Nov 10, 2024
Will play vs. Atlanta
Payton (back) is active for Sunday's game against the Falcons.
ANALYSIS
Payton missed the Saints' Week 9 loss to the Panthers due to a back injury, but he will play Sunday after being a limited practice participant all week. Payton has logged four tackles (three solo) and one pass defense through eight regular-season games.
Nov 8, 2024
Could return in Week 10
Payton (back) is listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.
ANALYSIS
Payton missed the Saints' Week 9 loss to the Panthers after sustaining a back injury the game prior, but he practiced in a limited fashion throughout the week, giving himself a chance to play Sunday. If the Pittsburg State product is unable to go in Week 10, expect Ugo Amadi and Shemar Jean-Charles to see increased work with the Saints' first-team defense.
Nov 3, 2024
Inactive Week 9
Payton (back) will not play in Sunday's matchup with the Panthers.
ANALYSIS
Payton has primarily been a special teams contributor for New Orleans this season, but could have seen a bigger role with Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring) and Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) also out. As a result, New Orleans figures to be thin in the secondary.
Oct 27, 2024
Leaves game with injury
Payton exited Sunday's 26-8 loss to the Chargers with a back injury, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The cornerback did not record a stat before leaving the field. Payton has played mostly on special teams this year with a little defense mixed in, recording four tackles (three solo) and a pass breakup.
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