HEADLINES

New Orleans Saints News & Rumors

Saints Shuffle Roster, Activate Three Players From IR

October 25th, 2021 at 6:40pm CST by Ben Levine

The Saints are welcoming back three players for tonight’s game against the Seahawks. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports (via Twitter) that New Orleans is activating linebacker Kwon Alexander, defensive end Marcus Davenport, and wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith from IR. The three players returned to practice last week, and they’ll all be eligible to play tonight.

The Saints also promoted wideout Kevin White from the practice squad. To make room on the roster, the team released center Will Clapp and defensive tackle Albert Huggins (via Underhill on Twitter).

Alexander (elbow) and Davenport (shoulder) were both placed on IR in mid-September, while Smith (hamstring) landed on IR a bit earlier than that. The Saints moved Davenport back into their starting lineup to start this season, and he registered a sack and two QB hits in the Saints’ dominant Week 1 win over the Packers. Alexander worked his way back from a December Achilles tear to be ready in time for the Saints’ opener, but this latest injury continued a rough run of health for the former Buccaneers standout. Smith’s injury dogged him for several weeks, as he tried and failed to come back from it twice. It caused the former third-round pick to miss extensive training camp time.

White joined the Saints back in August, and he later landed on the team’s practice squad. The former first-round pick got into three games with the 49ers in 2020, but he only saw nine snaps on offense. Clapp was a seventh-round pick by the Saints in 2018, and he got into 27 games (four starts) through three-plus seasons with the team. Huggins has bounced around the NFL since going undrafted in 2019. He saw time in four games (one start) for the Saints this season, collecting seven tackles and two QB hits.

Latest On Colts, Marlon Mack

October 24th, 2021 at 2:47pm CST by Zachary Links

Earlier this month, the Colts promised Marlon Mack that they’d try to trade him elsewhere. But, as it stands, it doesn’t sound like teams offered enough for the running back (via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). 

The Colts have received calls with reported interest from the 49ers, Panthers and Saints. However, the Niners aren’t quite as RB-needy as they were just a few weeks ago — JaMycal Hasty has been cleared to play against the Colts tonight while GM John Lynch says he’s bullish on Elijah Mitchell and Trey Sermon. Fellow RB Jeff Wilson could also return in a matter of weeks. Lynch characterized his talks with Indy as casual, given his relationship with GM Chris Ballard, but there’s little doubt that he’ll be paying attention to Mack this evening.

Prior to his Achilles setback, Mack totaled 1,999 rushing yards between 2018 and ’19. Behind Jonathan Taylor this year, Mack has gained 97 yards on 25 carries, good for 3.9 yards per tote. Of course, that’s been in a small sample size, so Mack is hoping to show his stuff elsewhere as a regular.

“I’m definitely young,” Mack said earlier this year. “That’s the thing. In this business as a running back, they say I’m an old man already, but I’m only 25…That’s why it’s like, ‘Man, I’ve got to go out there and get it now.’ Next year teams may be like, ‘Yeah, I don’t want that old running back.’”

Saints WR Chris Hogan To Retire

October 23rd, 2021 at 4:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

Chris Hogan left football behind earlier this year, opting to try lacrosse again. But he ultimately decided to play a 10th NFL season, signing with the Saints. One day away from his 34th birthday, the veteran wide receiver is stepping away from the game again.

After playing in five games with the Saints, Hogan is now on the team’s reserve/retired list. Hogan caught on with New Orleans just before the start of the season. He caught four passes for 41 yards, including his 19th career touchdown, as a Saint.

A four-year Bills contributor, Hogan will be best remembered for his mid-career run with the Patriots. Plucked by the Pats via an RFA offer sheet in 2016, Hogan played a key role for two Super Bowl champion squads. Hogan led the NFL with 17.9 yards per reception in 2016 and totaled 12 touchdown catches in three Pats seasons.

The Monmouth alum delivered when called upon in the playoffs with the Pats. The ex-lacrosse player caught nine passes for 180 yards and two scores in the 2016 AFC championship game, finishing with 332 postseason receiving yards for the Super Bowl LI champions. With the Pats down Julian Edelman and then Brandin Cooks, Hogan then added 128 yards in Super Bowl LII a year later.

Hogan spent the past three seasons with three different teams, suiting up for the Panthers, Jets and Saints. He suffered injuries in both the 2019 and ’20 slates, with knee and ankle maladies limiting him to 12 games over that period.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/21/21

October 21st, 2021 at 12:24pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s minor moves:

Cincinnati Bengals

New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Saints Designate LB Kwon Alexander, DE Marcus Davenport, WR Tre’Quan Smith For Return

October 19th, 2021 at 5:19pm CST by Ben Levine

The Saints are about to get some reinforcement. The team designated linebacker Kwon Alexander, defensive end Marcus Davenport, and wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith for return from injured reserve today, reports NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter).

Alexander (elbow) and Davenport (shoulder) were both placed on IR in mid-September, meaning the earliest they could have returned was Week 5.

The Saints moved Davenport back into their starting lineup to start this season, providing the player with an opportunity to re-establish himself opposite Cameron Jordan. Davenport registered a sack and two QB hits in the Saints’ dominant Week 1 win over the Packers.

Alexander worked his way back from a December Achilles tear to be ready in time for the Saints’ opener, but this latest injury continued a rough run of health for the former Buccaneers standout. Alexander suffered a torn ACL in 2018, though he still landed a nice contract from the 49ers. However, the veteran linebacker sustained a pectoral muscle tear in his first 49ers season.

Smith landed on IR a bit earlier than his defensive teammates after suffering a hamstring injury. The injury dogged Smith for several weeks, as he tried and failed to come back from it twice. It caused the former third-round pick to miss extensive training camp time.

While the Saints will happily welcome back this trio, they’ll still be without one of the most notable players. While wideout Michael Thomas was eligible to return from PUP this week, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes (via Twitter) that there hasn’t been any news on his potential activation.

Saints Add Forrest Lamp To Taxi Squad

October 19th, 2021 at 1:12pm CST by Zachary Links

Free agent guard Forrest Lamp has agreed to join the Saints’ practice squad (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The former second-round pick will be in the same group as veteran running back Lamar Miller, who agreed to join the 16-man unit earlier today. 

[RELATED: Lamar Miller Joins Saints Practice Squad]

Injuries have dogged Lamp for most of his pro career. He missed all of his 2017 rookie season with an ACL tear, and he missed the second half of the 2019 season due to a broken ankle. Overall, the former higher-end offensive line prospect has been limited to 25 games as a pro. On the plus side, he turned in a full 16-game slate for the Chargers last year and started in every contest.

The 27-year-old was set to play for the Bills this year, but a calf injury ultimately cost him his job. Now healthy, Lamp will try to earn his way onto the Saints’ 53-man roster.

Saints Add Lamar Miller To Practice Squad

October 19th, 2021 at 10:55am CST by Zachary Links

The Saints have signed Lamar Miller to the practice squad, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). The former Pro Bowl running back will give the Saints some extra insurance with Tony Jones on the injured reserve list. 

Miller auditioned for New Orleans earlier this month, along with Duke Johnson, Brian Hill, Ito Smith, and Ryquell Armstead. That same week, the Saints signed running back Devine Ozigbo off of the Jaguars’ taxi squad. Now, they’ve circled back to Miller, who was once one of the league’s top rushers.

The veteran has two 1,000-yard rushing seasons on his resume, including his ’18 Pro Bowl year. However, he hasn’t been the same since his 2019 ACL tear. He’s had stops with the Patriots, Bears, and the Washington Football Team in recent years, all amounting to two catches for six yards.

For now, the Saints’ RB group consists of Alvin Kamara, Dwayne Washington, and Ozigbo. Meanwhile, Miller and Armstead reside on the taxi squad.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/19/21

October 19th, 2021 at 10:13am CST by Zachary Links

Today’s taxi squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

  • Signed: LB Connor Strachan

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Miami Dolphins

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Football Team

Saints’ Wil Lutz Designated For Return

October 18th, 2021 at 3:42pm CST by Zachary Links

Wil Lutz has been designated for return from the injured reserve list (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com). It’s not clear if he’ll be ready for this week’s game against the Seahawks, but the Saints expect to see him in the next 21 days.

[RELATED: Latest On Saints’ Michael Thomas]

Lutz has served as New Orleans’ primary kicker since 2016. All in all, he’s made 86.6% of his field goal tries across his five-year career, positioning him as one of the best kickers in the game. He’s also made 253 out of 260 extra point attempts in the elongated XP era. Unfortunately, he aggravated a groin issue in early August, leaving the Saints to scramble. First, they turned to Aldrick Rosas, who went 1-4 on field goal tries. He’s since been replaced by veteran Cody Parkey.

Lutz, 27, is still attached to a five-year, $20.25MM extension he signed in March 2019. He’ll aim to resume his post this week when the Saints face the Seahawks in Seattle.

Latest On Saints’ Michael Thomas

October 18th, 2021 at 3:27pm CST by Zachary Links

Michael Thomas is still a few weeks away from returning to action (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The Saints star is already eligible to come off of the PUP list, but he can’t feasibly play again until sometime in November. 

[RELATED: Saints Release CB Desmond Trufant, Others]

The sixth-year standout underwent surgery later than the Saints wanted, causing a rift between the parties. While Thomas and Sean Payton are believed to be on better terms, the Saints are surely still annoyed with the receiver’s decision.

Thomas missed much of the 2020 slate due to injuries and a one-game suspension. His stock has dipped a bit, but he’s still not far removed from back-to-back first-team All-Pro seasons, including the NFL’s single-season reception record (149) in 2019.

The Saints are near the NFL cellar in passing yards, unfamiliar territory for one of the game’s most prolific aerial offenses. Until Thomas returns, they’ll forge ahead with Marquez Callaway, Deonte Harris, Ty Montgomery, Chris Hogan, Kenny Stills, and Lil’Jordan Humphrey as their WRs.

Load More Posts