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New Orleans Saints News & Rumors

Saints Re-Sign OT Derek Newton

December 27th, 2018 at 2:20pm CST by Zachary Links

Derek Newton is back with the Saints. On Thursday, the Saints re-signed the offensive tackle, along with fellow OT Cornelius Lucas. To make room, the club cut defensive back Josh Robinson and defensive lineman Mitchell Loewen.

The Saints signed Newton to a two-year deal in early December, even though he had not played since October 2016, then released him a few weeks later. The Saints needed healthy bodies up front due to a recent rash of injuries last week, but they’re now able to accommodate him on the roster.

A 2011 seventh-round pick out of Arkansas State, Newton was the Texans’ starting right tackle from 2012’s first game until that career-altering night in Denver when Newton shredded both of his knees. The Texans waived Newton via failed physical designation in April, and he filed a $500K grievance. This year, Newton worked out for the Jets, Cardinals, and Saints and showed enough in New Orleans to warrant an opportunity.

The Saints kept Newton on speed dial, and he now has a chance to contribute to a contender.

Saints To Activate Ted Ginn

December 22nd, 2018 at 3:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

Ted Ginn‘s return to practice may lead to a quick re-emergence in a Saints game uniform. The Saints activated their veteran deep threat off IR, Field Yates of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).

Just given the IR-return designation Wednesday, Ginn may well suit up to face the Steelers on Sunday. New Orleans waived tackle Cornelius Lucas to clear space on its 53-man roster, Nick Underhill of The Advocate reports.

The Saints used both of their IR-return slots on wide receivers this season, with Ginn’s activation following Tommylee Lewis‘. While Lewis is more of a special teams cog, Ginn returning to the Saints’ rotation would stabilize their fluid receiver situation. Michael Thomas has continued to carry the load for New Orleans, but the NFC-leading team has not found aerial consistency beyond its No. 1 target.

In the second season of a three-year contract, Ginn has not played since Week 4. An ankle injury sent him to IR. In the Saints’ first two games, he caught nine passes for 123 yards. Last season, Ginn served as a top option for Drew Brees, posting 787 yards and four touchdown receptions.

Tre’Quan Smith has served as New Orleans’ de facto No. 2 wideout but has not been especially reliable. Despite lacking much in the way of passing-game depth, the Saints have motored to 12-2. They are one win away from clinching home-field advantage in the NFC for the first time since 2009.

Saints Release OT Derek Newton

December 20th, 2018 at 2:10pm CST by Zachary Links

Derek Newton‘s comeback hit another unfortunate roadblock on Thursday. The offensive tackle was released by the Saints after he was unable to come back from two torn patellar tendons. 

The Saints signed Newton to a two-year deal earlier this month, even though he has not played since October 2016. The Saints were initially willing to stay patient with the veteran, but they desperately need bodies up front due to a recent rash of injuries. To give some instant relief, the club signed Cornelius Lucas in Newton’s stead.

A 2011 seventh-round pick out of Arkansas State, Newton was the Texans’ starting right tackle from 2012’s first game until that career-altering night in Denver when Newton shredded both of his knees. The Texans waived Newton via failed physical designation in April, and he field a $500K grievance. This year, Newton worked out for the Jets, Cardinals, and Saints and showed enough in New Orleans to warrant a contract.

The Saints will likely keep Newton on speed dial, but another team could scoop him up before they get the chance to bring him back.

NFL Workout Updates: 12/19/18

December 19th, 2018 at 9:09pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s practice squad updates, all courtesy of veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (on Twitter):

Arizona Cardinals

  • WR Bryant Mitchell; T Ryker Mathews; LBs Tobi Antigha, Sam Eguavoen, Pete Robertson, Alex Singleton, Jameer Thurman; K Ty Long

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

  • G Avery Gennesy

Cleveland Browns

  • RB Jarvion Franklin; TE Kevin Rader; G Ian Park; DT Lance McDowell; S Jack Tocho

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

  • LB Jameer Thurman; DEs Tobi Antigha, Kwaku Boateng; S Chris Edwards

New Orleans Saints

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • G Chris Schleuger; T Dakoda Shepley; DB Tevaughn Campbell; Ks Jon Brown, Trevor Moore; Ps Hayden Hunt, Ryan Winslow; LS Zach Triner

Washington Redskins

Saints Designate WR Ted Ginn Jr. For Return

December 19th, 2018 at 5:11pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Saints have designated wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. to return from injured reserve, according to Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune (Twitter link).

Ginn was placed on IR in October after suffering a knee injury. Because he’s already missed eight weeks of action, Ginn is eligible to return to the active roster at any time. Now that Ginn has returned to practice, New Orleans has opened a three-week window during which it must either place him on its 53-man roster, or leave him on injured reserve for the rest of the season.

Each NFL team is allowed to bring two players back from IR, and the Saints have already done that with one player (return man Tommylee Lewis). As such, New Orleans had only one IR/return spot left, and the club was said to be deciding between Ginn and reserve offensive lineman Josh LeRibeus.

The Saints have evidently decided adding a veteran presence to their wide receiving corps is more critical than bolstering their offensive line depth. Since Ginn went down, New Orleans has been using a rotation opposite Michael Thomas, with Tre’Quan Smith, Keith Kirkwood, and Austin Carr all seeing time.

Ginn, 33, inked a three-year, $11MM deal with the Saints in 2017, and posted 53 receptions for 787 yards and four touchdowns in his first season in New Orleans. In four games this season, Ginn had managed 12 catches for 135 yards and two scores.

Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/18

December 19th, 2018 at 4:41pm CST by Zachary Links

Today’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Detroit Lions

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Oakland Raiders

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Redskins

Saints Work Out Offensive Linemen

December 18th, 2018 at 12:45pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints are worked out a handful of offensive linemen on Tuesday, according to a league source who spoke with Josh Katzenstein of the Times-Picayune. It stands to reason that the Saints will sign at least one lineman given the injuries suffered by center Max Unger and Jermon Bushrod on Monday night.

Unger was forced out of Monday’s win over the Panthers with a concussion and Bushrod’s hamstring injury landed him on the sidelines. After that, the Saints were forced to turn to Cameron Tom and Will Clapp to fill in the front five. The Saints were pretty much scraping the bottom of the barrel against their divisional rivals, especially since they were already without left tackle Terron Armstead, who has been out for five straight games.

Offensive tackle Nick Becton, who was in camp with the Saints in 2014 and 2015, was among those to audition. The other players are not yet known, but they’re unlikely to be major names. At this point in the season, it’s slim pickins.

The Saints effectively clinched a first-round bye by beating the Panthers on Monday night, but they may need the additional bodies to get through the final two weeks of the season and fortify their bench for the playoffs.

Armstead Out Another Week

December 15th, 2018 at 8:34pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg
  • The Saints will be without starting left tackle Terron Armstead for at least another week, according to Josh Katzenstein of NOLA.com (Twitter link). Armstead has now missed the last month of the season with a pectoral injury. Drew Brees‘ pass protection has fallen off without Armstead, and Brees has struggled a bit with the additional pressure in recent weeks.

Saints Sign WR Simmie Cobbs

December 14th, 2018 at 1:25pm CST by Zachary Links

The Saints signed wide receiver Simmie Cobbs off of the Redskins’ practice squad, a source tells Nick Underhill of The Advocate (on Twitter). Cobbs will take the roster spot of tight end Erik Swoope, who was informed of his release on Thursday. 

Cobbs was an all-Big Ten receiver at Indiana and caught 72 passes for 841 yards in 2017. He’s an intriguing pickup for a Saints team that has lost several big-name receivers to injury throughout the year.

For now, Cobbs will slot in as the Saints’ No. 6 receiver behind Michael Thomas, Tre’Quan Smith, Austin Carr, Keith Kirkwood, and Tommylee Lewis. Earlier this week, veteran Brandon Marshall was dropped from the roster, so there’s room for reinforcements.

The addition of Cobbs could mean that wide receiver Ted Ginn will not be activated from IR before the year is through. Then again, given all of the Saints’ roster juggling in recent days, nothing can be ruled out. Swoope’s stay in New Orleans lasted less than 24 hours and there’s no guarantee that Cobbs will get to take his coat off and stay awhile if Ginn is given the greenlight.

The Saints, who have already clinched the NFC South, can virtually clinch a first round bye with a win over the Panthers on Sunday. A win in Carolina coupled with a Bears loss in Green Bay would completely seal the deal for the Saints, allowing them to rest any banged up players in the final two weeks.

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