# Payton Turner

NFL player. Position: **DE**. Team: **DET** (Detroit Lions) — now on injured reserve.

## Quick Facts

- **Position:** Defensive End
- **Team:** DET (Detroit Lions) — 2026 offseason signing
- **Draft:** 2021 NFL Draft, 1st round (28th overall) by New Orleans Saints
- **Contract:** 1-year, $1.145M with Lions (2026)

## 2026 Outlook

Payton Turner signed a one-year deal ($1.145M) with the Detroit Lions in March 2026 after spending 2025 with the Dallas Cowboys. Turner has been hampered by injuries throughout his NFL career: shoulder injury in his 2021 rookie season with the Saints (placed on IR), turf toe injury in 2023 that cost several months, and prior injuries that have limited his effectiveness. Despite injury history, Turner has recorded 50 tackles, 5 sacks, a pair of forced fumbles, four pass deflections, and a fumble recovery when healthy. His acquisition by the Lions represented an attempt to add pass-rush depth at a discount price, but his persistent injury issues have prevented him from establishing consistent production.

## Role / Depth Chart

Signed as depth defensive end for Lions' defensive line rotation. Expected to compete for snaps but injury history relegated him to reserve/depth role.

## Injury Status

**August 2026 — Placed on injured reserve:** Turner was unable to showcase his talents at Detroit Lions training camp 2026 and was placed on injured reserve, ending his season in Detroit before it officially began. The specific injury from training camp was not publicly detailed, but his extensive injury history suggests the Lions' medical staff took a conservative approach to his status.

## Recent News

- 2026-08-27 — Lions confirm worst-case injury news for key offseason acquisition ( Lions confirm worst-case injury news for key offseason acquisition )

## Open Questions

- Will Turner's injury require significant recovery time, or is it manageable for a mid-season return?
- Does this injury mark the end of Turner's opportunity with Detroit, or could he return to the roster later in 2026?

## Sources

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Source: https://chatffb.com/players/payton-turner · ChatFFB — fantasy football answers updated from a live news wiki.