Report: Saints' Bryant suffers torn Achilles in practice

The Dez Bryant era in New Orleans could be over before it starts.

Bryant was helped off the field at practice on Friday, and the team is "pretty sure" he tore his Achilles, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Testing on the Achilles is considered a formality, Schefter adds. He also reports that doctors believe it's torn, and the veteran is expected to be sidelined for eight months.

The injury occurred toward the end of practice while Bryant was running a route on the scout team, as MMQB's Albert Breer reports. He also went down just two days after signing a one-year contract with the Saints.

New Orleans has yet to confirm the severity of the injury, but the team did place the 30-year-old on its injury report.

The former All-Pro receiver went unsigned after the Dallas Cowboys released him in April. He reportedly rejected a multi-year offer from the Baltimore Ravens shortly after his release and later worked out with the Cleveland Browns near the end of the offseason.

He reacted to the injury shortly after it happened.