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Saints Countdown: The Legacy of No. 49
26 Jul
Summary
- Zach Wood is the longest-tenured Saint to wear No. 49.
- Eight players have worn the No. 49 jersey for the Saints.
- No. 49 has been worn by players across different positions.
The New Orleans Saints are 49 days away from their 2026 season opener against the Detroit Lions. As the countdown continues, the team highlights the history of jersey No. 49, most recently worn by long snapper Zach Wood. Wood, entering his ninth year, has become the longest-tenured player to wear the number, playing in all 149 games since joining in 2017.
Wood is one of eight players to have worn No. 49 for the Saints. The jersey's history includes players like Major Hazelton, Bob Wicks, and Ralph McGill. Notably, none of these eight players were drafted by the Saints, with Frank Wattelet being the only undrafted rookie to begin his NFL career in New Orleans while wearing No. 49.
Despite being listed as a defensive end, Zach Wood has consistently served as a reliable long snapper, a crucial but often undervalued role. He is expected to continue his streak as a key player for the rebuilding Saints special teams unit through the 2026 season.
