Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo will miss the rest of the season after breaking his femur | Saints

New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen said Friday that cornerback Paulson Adebo will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery for a broken femur.

Adebo was sent off in the second quarter of Thursday's 33-10 loss to the Denver Broncos. Before leaving the field, Adebo lay on the ground for several minutes while the team's training staff worked to get his leg into an aerial throw.

Adebo underwent the procedure Thursday evening, Allen said. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis also visited Adebo in the hospital.

“The surgery went well,” Allen said. “It will be a long recovery. It will cost him the season, but the operation went well.”

The injury brings an unfortunate end to an uneven season for Adebo. Despite having three interceptions in six games, Adebo led all defensive players in draw penalties with nine (six pass interceptions, three defensive holdings). The cornerback's 30-yard pass interference on Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney also resulted in New Orleans' 26-24 loss to its NFC South rival when the penalty gave Younghoe Koo the game-winning field goal brought.

Adebo's future with the Saints is now unclear. In a contract year, Adebo is eligible to become a free agent in March – and ESPN reported that the 25-year-old is expected to be healthy by then. Despite facing seven difficult games this year, Adebo had a career season in 2023 where he was tasked with replacing the injured Marshon Lattimore. He had a career-best performance in 15 games: four interceptions and 11 pass breakups.