Saints prized acquisition continues to disappoint despite more opportunities
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele led the team’s receiving corps with the most snaps in their 17-7 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Despite being the primary presence on the field, Vele saw limited action in the passing game, finishing the afternoon with just one catch for 15 yards.
Following the Saints trade of Rasheed Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks, many expected Vele to take on a larger role and become more involved in the offense moving forward. However, while the Saints receiving corps had their best performance on the season, Vele had very little to do with it, struggling to make an impact despite leading the group in snaps.
Vele hasn’t been a big part of the Saints offense this season, only recording 6 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. He has only participated in 129 passing snaps and doesn’t qualify for a PFF grade due to the lack of snaps.
Saints look for Devaughn Vele to rediscover his Denver form
Kellen Moore said Vele would become more used in the offense after the Shaheed trade. It's only one week, but that only seems to be half true. Vele was a heavy part of the offense, but not how it was expected. He saw a lot of snaps, but Vele still wasn't used like the big bodied receiver people have clamored for. Most importantly, Vele was rarely targeted despite being on the field for every pass play.
The Saints acquired Vele in a trade from the Denver Broncos back in August of 2025, sending a 2026 4th round pick and a 2027 7th round pick in return. The Saints brought him in to add a big body receiver that could make contested catches to a team that lacked one. The front office saw great value in his contract and potential, after having a promising rookie season with 41 catches for 475 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Despite limited production in his opportunities during week 10, his snap count is expected to remain high, and his numbers should gradually increase as the second year receiver looks to recapture his form that he showcased in Denver last season. This weeks bye week can help him reset, build stronger chemistry with the offense, and set himself up for a bigger impact down the stretch.
Will NFL suspend Amon-Ra St. Brown? Video shows Lions WR throwing first punch at Commanders' Daron Payne
During Sunday's game between the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Daron Payne were involved in an incident that resulted in a suspension for Payne.
In the first half, Payne was ejected for throwing a punch at St. Brown in between plays, and he was ultimately given a one-game suspension. However, Payne and other Commanders defenders argued that St. Brown was the one to incite the incident in the first place, and that Payne was just retaliating.
It turns out, Payne and his Washington teammates may have had a point. A new video shows St. Brown from earlier in the game throwing a punch at Payne after a play.
Here is the latest on the situation between St. Brown and Payne.
The NFL hasn't yet commented on St. Brown's portion of the incident, but it is possible that he faces discipline. During the NFL's statement regarding Payne's suspension, the league emphasized that it prohibits "striking, swinging at, or clubbing the head or neck of an opponent."
Here is the NFL statement: https://t.co/Ag4pCJPPpg pic.twitter.com/hfZjM3Ab1y
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2025
Typically, the NFL hands out fines from the previous week on Saturday, so that is likely the deadline for when the league will decide whether to punish St. Brown.
Amon-Ra St. Brown punch video
A new video shows Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown appearing to punch Payne a few plays before Payne retaliated. The incident occurred after a play ended, but St. Brown was not penalized for it.
Here’s the video of Amon-Ra St. Brown swinging on Daron Payne a few plays before Payne swung back and got ejected. This tells the other side of the story. pic.twitter.com/M7jUH9zcGr
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) November 11, 2025
Payne ultimately retaliated against St. Brown later in the game, but because it wasn't immediately after St. Brown's punch, the officials approached Payne's penalty as an isolated incident.
Here is the play that led to the NFL suspending Commanders DT Daron Payne one game for punching Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown. pic.twitter.com/Qftr78xO8G
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2025
MORE WEEK 11 NFL:
Why was Daron Payne ejected?
Commanders DT Daron Payne was ejected on Sunday against the Lions for winding up and throwing a punch at Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown in between plays. Payne was also given a one-game suspension for the incident.
Payne was called for unsportsmanlike conduct and was determined to have swung at St. Brown, which is illegal. However, Payne maintained that St. Brown attacked him first.
Daron Payne suspension
The NFL suspended Payne one game for punching St. Brown on Sunday.
Payne appealed the suspension, claiming St. Brown initiated the confrontation, but hearing officer Ramon Foster upheld Payne's one-game suspension.
