Saints review No. 32 jersey history ahead of 2026 Detroit Lions opener
With the regular season kickoff 32 days away, the New Orleans Saints highlight the legacy of jersey No. 32, tracing its lineage from Tom Barrington to current free agent addition Ty Chandler.
The New Orleans Saints are 32 days removed from their 2026 regular season opener against the Detroit Lions, scheduled for Sunday, 13 September. As the team prepares for the campaign, attention has turned to the history of the No. 32 jersey, with running back Ty Chandler currently wearing the number through training camp.
Chandler, a free agent addition this offseason, is competing for a role in a crowded backfield. If he secures a spot on the roster, he will become the 26th player in franchise history to wear the number, continuing a lineage that spans the team’s entire existence.
Tom Barrington was the first player to wear No. 32, suiting up in 51 games between 1967 and 1970. Barrington rushed for 493 yards and three touchdowns during his tenure, tying for the second-longest stint among players who have worn the number.
The jersey has seen significant turnover over the decades, with 16 players wearing it for one year or less. Jeremy DeRatt became the first defensive player to wear the number in 1975, appearing in just six games. Other notable one-year or short-term wearers include Lincoln Minor, Scott Stauch, Vernon Perry, Darrel Toussaint, Paul Frazier, Mark Lee, Earnest Hunter, Aaron Craver, Jerald Moore, Jonathan Williams, Josh Robinson, T.J. Green, Michael Burton, and Bryce Thompson.
Among the longer tenures, Vaughn Dunbar, a first-round draft pick in 1992, played three seasons for the Saints. Dunbar gained 636 yards from scrimmage, including a team-high 565 rushing yards as a rookie, though his overall production was viewed as disappointing relative to his draft status.
The franchise also experimented with high-profile free agents in the early 2000s. Ki-Jana Carter, the first overall pick in the 1995 draft, suffered a catastrophic knee injury with the Cincinnati Bengals. He played just 10 games for New Orleans over two seasons, rushing for 89 yards. Antowain Smith, a former first-round pick for the Buffalo Bills, had slightly more success in 2005. He served as the leading rusher during the Hurricane Katrina-impacted season, accumulating 659 yards following a season-ending knee injury to Deuce McAllister.
More recent wearers include Jabari Greer, who played five years with the Saints, and Johnny Patrick, who wore the number from 2011 to 2012. Kenny Vaccaro also had a significant tenure, wearing No. 32 from 2013 to 2017. Tyrann Mathieu wore the number from 2023 to 2025, followed by punter Kai Kroeger in 2025, before Chandler took over the assignment.
The Saints’ review of the jersey’s history comes as they look to establish their identity for the 2026 season. The team’s upcoming match against the Lions marks the start of a new chapter, with Chandler aiming to add his name to the list of 25 predecessors who have worn the number.
