SATURDAY, 9:57am: The Saints have officially announced the moves.
WEDNESDAY, 5:03pm: The Saints running backs corps took another hit last week when the team lost Marcus Murphy for the season. To take his place, the team has signed running back Kendall Hunter, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). The team has also added fullback Toben Opurum from the practice squad (via Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com) while placing Murphy and cornerback Damian Swann on the IR (via Mike Triplett of ESPN.com).
Hunter, a former fourth-round pick, has a solid first three seasons in the league backing up Frank Gore on the 49ers. The Oklahoma State product compiled 262 carries for 1,202 yards and seven touchdowns, as well as another 27 catches for 268 yards. Despite missing the 2014 season with a torn ACL, Hunter still earned a contract extension from San Francisco. However, the running back was waived less than a year later, and he’s yet to find a job since. The Jaguars, Seahawks, Patriots, and Jets had previously brought the 27-year-old in for an audition.
Murphy had established himself as a dependable return man this season, returning 28 punts for 261 yards and a score and 12 kickoffs for 300 yards. Swann, meanwhile, had 22 tackles in seven games with the Saints this season.
Opurum, an undrafted free agent in 2013, made his NFL debut earlier this season with New Orleans.