Paul Turner

Saints Sign J.T. Barrett To Practice Squad (Again)

Ordinarily, a team signing a free agent to its practice squad would not merit much national attention. But Field Yates of ESPN tweets that the Saints have signed quarterback J.T. Barrett to their practice squad, and as Jeff Nowak of The Advocate observes (via Twitter), this marks the 13th time this season that New Orleans has signed Barrett. Nowak notes that Barrett has been involved in a whopping 25 transactions during the 2018 campaign and has been cut 12 times.

Barrett has yet to see any regular season action, but the fact that New Orleans keeps bringing him back can be construed as a positive. The former Ohio State signal-caller signed with the Saints in May after going undrafted, and he reportedly drew interest from several other clubs, including the Colts. New Orleans head coach Sean Payton had good things to say about him after he was signed the first time.

His overall athletic ability suggests that the Saints — or some other team — could deploy Barrett the way that Tayson Hill has been utilized this year, even if Barrett does not get a chance to serve as a primary signal-caller. He completed 63.5% of his passes over four years at Ohio State with 104 touchdowns against 30 picks, and he also ran for 43 scores while posting a 5.0 yards-per-carry mark.

In a corresponding move, the Saints cut wide receiver Paul Turner. The team signed Turner and cut Barrett just four days ago.

Patriots Cut Five Players

The Patriots are getting an early start on roster cuts, as they’ve announced the following five transactions:

Of the group, only Turner boasts any NFL experience. The 25-year-old appeared in four games and managed nine receptions for the Eagles in 2016, but didn’t see any action last season.

Patriots Cut TE Troy Niklas

The Patriots are releasing veteran tight end Troy Niklas, a source tells Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). They’ll replace him with on the roster with free agent wide receiver Paul Turner

A 2014 Cardinals second-round pick, Niklas has just 19 career receptions for 203 yards. Niklas has battled injuries throughout his career, twice playing in seven or fewer games in a season. He suited up for 15 last year, however. In April, he hooked on with the Pats.

Interestingly, Pro Football Focus was much fonder of his 2017 receiving skills than when he attempted to block during running plays, grading Niklas as the second-worst run-blocking tight end in football last season. PFF, though, viewed him as a much better run-blocking presence in previous years.

Without Niklas, the Patriots tight end depth chart consists of Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen, Jacob Hollister, Will Tye, Ryan Izzo, and Shane Wimann.

NFL Workout Updates: 12/12/17

Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

New York Jets

San Francisco 49ers

NFL Workout Updates: 11/14/17

Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

  • T Laurence Gibson (link)

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

  • TEs Brandon Barnes, Gabe Holmes (link)

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • LSs Ryan DiSalvo, Andrew East, Drew Ferris (link)

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Redskins

NFL Workout Updates: 11/8/17

Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:

Chicago Bears

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

New England Patriots

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFL Workout Updates: 10/26/17

Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer’s Twitter account unless otherwise noted:

Detroit Lions

  • WR Cyril Grayson

Green Bay Packers

Jacksonville Jaguars

New York Giants

Washington Redskins