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Participating in OTAs
Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 7:59 PM
Baun participated in the Saints' OTAs last week after dealing with an ankle injury, John Hendrix of Sports Illustrated reports.
Analysis: Baun was placed on injured reserve in December but is now back in action. The 26-year-old recorded 16 tackles (11 solo) in 13 games last season and could be in line to start heading into the upcoming campaign. |
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Regular at practice facility
Thu, May 12, 2022, 7:36 PM
Turner (shoulder) has been a regular at the Saints' practice facility during the voluntary portion of the offseason program, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: It's not clear where Turner is at in his recovery from an unspecified shoulder injury that ended his rookie season after five game appearances. However, it sounds like he has been active in his rehab, and Turner did not have any noticeable protective brace on his shoulder at a recent Saints charity event. When healthy, the 2021 first-round pick is expected to be one of the first defensive ends in the rotation behind Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport. |
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Michael Thomas Michael Thomas Making progress
Fri, May 6, 2022, 3:03 PM
Coach Dennis Allen noted that the Saints feel good about where Thomas (ankle) stands in terms of his injury rehab, but acknowledged that there's "still a few hurdles" ahead for the wideout.
Analysis: With that in mind, it seems as though Thomas -- who didn't play last season -- will be limited to some degree upon his return to the field. However, in the absence of any setbacks in the coming months, the 29-year-old appears poised to reclaim his spot atop the Saints' wideout depth chart which was recently bolstered by the team's selection of Chris Olave with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. |
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Mark Ingram Mark Ingram Still in backup mix
Fri, May 6, 2022, 2:41 PM
In the wake of the recent NFL Draft, Ingram continues to slot in as Alvin Kamara's top backup, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Terrell suggests that it seemed as though the Saints might add a running back in the draft, but instead the team opted to add depth on the front by signing Abram Smith as a UDFA. Also in the backup mix are Tony Jones and Dwayne Washington, but as things stand, Ingram appears to be next in line for carries in the event that Kamara misses time for any reason. It's still possible, however, that New Orleans brings in more competition and the 32-year-old Ingram will need to hold off challenges from the likes of Jones and Smith in the coming months in order to maintain his depth chart standing. |
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Jameis Winston Jameis Winston Targeting Week 1 return
Fri, May 6, 2022, 10:15 AM
Coach Dennis Allen said Friday "the plan" is for Winston (knee) to start Week 1, Rod Walker of The Times-Picayune reports.
Analysis: Allen noted that there are still "a lot of days between now and Week 1," but that "we certainly like where [Winston] is right now" as the quarterback works his way back from a left ACL tear. Winston has already begun rehabbing from surgery undergone last November, and while his real recovery progress may not be made apparent until he begins taking reps in offseason workouts, it currently looks like the 28-year-old is on track to open the season. New Orleans' offense could take a step forward in the 2022 campaign, with two first-round rookies joining the fold. Left tackle Trevor Penning will help keep Winston upright following the departure of Terron Armstead (knee), while former Ohio State standout Chris Olave provides another legitimate option in the passing game alongside presumed top target Michael Thomas (ankle). |
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Joins New Orleans as UDFA
Tue, May 3, 2022, 2:54 PM
The Saints signed Dixon as an undrafted free agent Monday.
Analysis: Dixon had 236 receptions for 3,802 yards and 35 touchdowns during his standout career at Nicholls State. The 6-foot-3 wideout figures to compete during training camp with Rashid Shaheed, who was also signed as an undrafted free agent. |
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Getting $18M guaranteed in deal
Mon, May 2, 2022, 3:14 PM
Mathieu agreed Monday on a three-year, $33 million contract with the Saints that includes $18 million fully guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Mathieu and the Saints still are ironing out some details on the contract before it's finalized, but the 29-year-old is committed to continuing his career in his hometown of New Orleans. The three-time Pro Bowler joins the team after a three-year stay in Kansas City that he concluded with a 76-tackle, three-interception effort over 16 games in 2021. |
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Finalizing deal with Saints
Mon, May 2, 2022, 8:56 AM
Mathieu and the Saints agreed to terms on a deal Monday that is expected to be finalized in the coming days, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Given his status as a former LSU standout and New Orleans native, Mathieu-to-the-Saints buzz has been percolating for several weeks, but it wasn't until after the 2022 NFL Draft that the two sides were able to gain meaningful traction in contract discussions. The exact terms of Mathieu's deal may not be known for a few more days, but the 29-year-old is expected to slot in as a starter in an excellent New Orleans secondary that includes cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo, free-agent safety pickup Marcus Maye and the versatile C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who is capable of moving between cornerback and safety as needed. Mathieu is coming off a 2021 campaign in which he earned his third Pro-Bowl nod after totaling 76 tackles, six pass breakups, three interceptions, three fumble recoveries and a sack in 16 regular-season appearances with the Chiefs. |
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Lands in Big Easy
Sat, Apr 30, 2022, 3:18 PM
The Saints selected Jackson in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 194th overall.
Analysis: Jackson will need to add weight to his frame to stick along the defensive line in the NFL, as he checks in at 6-foot-4 and 294 pounds. He was impressive at Air Force with 29.5 career tackles for loss and showed some pass rush development as a senior with 7.5 sacks. Jackson will likely start out as a rotational player at defensive end for the Saints. |
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Big Easy bound
Sat, Apr 30, 2022, 1:49 PM
The Saints selected Jackson in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 161st overall.
Analysis: Jackson consistently marked up the stat sheet at Appalachian State, as he posted 221 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 14 pass breakups, 8.5 sacks and three interceptions over his final two seasons. He's light for a linebacker at 6-foot, 233 pounds, but his 4.55 40-yard dash gives him range and provides immediate utility on special teams. |
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Nabbed by NOLA
Fri, Apr 29, 2022, 7:30 PM
The Saints selected Taylor in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 49th overall.
Analysis: Speed is Taylor's calling card, as the corner out of Tennessee ran a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. He isn't a finesse player, though, as Taylor racked up 60 tackles in his senior season to go with two interceptions. His physicality will allow the Saints to use him near the line of scrimmage and his speed will make him an asset in coverage. |
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Heads to Big Easy
Thu, Apr 28, 2022, 9:18 PM
The Saints selected Penning in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 19th overall.
Analysis: Penning comes to the league from the FCS level out of Northern Iowa, where he was a dominant presence for the past three seasons. He is a massive tackle at 6-foot-7 and 333 pounds with an 83.5-inch wingspan. There is a sentiment that he is raw and will need to get out of bad habits that will get him beat or draw flags at the next level, but Penning has the physical tools to become a starting-caliber tackle. |
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Big Easy bound
Thu, Apr 28, 2022, 8:34 PM
The Saints selected Olave in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 11th overall.
Analysis: New Orleans made the most of its draft capital, using the 16th pick along with a pair of mid-round selections to trade up for Olave out of Ohio State. He's an excellent fit in the Big Easy as the Saints had a need for a legitimate option in the passing game opposite fellow Buckeye Michael Thomas. The 6-foot Olave set the school's all-time touchdown record with 35 over four seasons. In terms of tools, Olave is silky smooth as a route runner, but he isn't just crafty; he runs a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, which suggests that the downfield ability he demonstrated at Ohio State can translate at the next level. Regardless of New Orleans' direction at quarterback, Olave is set up to have a strong fantasy projection as a rookie. |
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Alvin Kamara Alvin Kamara Legal hearing postponed
Mon, Apr 25, 2022, 3:23 PM
Kamara's legal case pending in Las Vegas has been pushed back to Aug. 1, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Analysis: Kamara is facing two battery-related charges as a result of a February incident at a Las Vegas establishment. It's not clear if this delay in the legal process will impact Kamara's availability for the start of Saints training camp in late July. |
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Dwayne Washington Dwayne Washington Re-signs with New Orleans
Mon, Apr 18, 2022, 2:40 PM
Washington signed a one-year contract with the Saints on Monday.
Analysis: Washington was drafted by the Lions in the seventh round of the 2016 Draft and has appeared in 71 regular-season games and four postseason contests. He's totaled 157 carries for 554 yards and one touchdown while catching 15 passes for 94 yards during his seven-year career. Since joining New Orleans in 2018, Washington has been a standout special-teams player and figures to garner a similar role in 2022. |
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J.P. Holtz J.P. Holtz Inks deal with New Orleans
Tue, Apr 5, 2022, 3:31 PM
Holtz signed a contract with the Saints on Tuesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: After posting seven catches for 91 yards in 2019, Holtz failed to catch a pass in 2020 or 2021. If he makes the initial 53-man roster, the undrafted tight end out of Pittsburgh will likely serve primarily as a blocker once again in 2022. |
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Sticking with Saints
Tue, Apr 5, 2022, 10:26 AM
Williams (ankle) has re-signed with New Orleans on a one-year contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Williams will remain with the Saints for an eighth consecutive season. The veteran safety has handled a rotational role over the last two years, and he stands to reprise a similar gig during the 2022 campaign. |
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Gets chance in New Orleans
Tue, Apr 5, 2022, 10:10 AM
Evans (foot) signed a one-year contract with the Saints on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Evans sat out the entire 2021 season while recovering from foot surgery, and he hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since 2018. The 2017 second-round pick will look to prove he can stay healthy in New Orleans. |
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Headed to New Orleans
Sun, Apr 3, 2022, 9:15 AM
Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Saints on Saturday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Johnson appeared in 12 contests for the Texans last season and registered 23 tackles (11 solo) and one fumble recovery. Before heading to Houston, the 2017 fourth-round pick totaled 73 tackles and five sacks across his two previous seasons with Minnesota. Johnson figures to be a rotational piece for the Saints during the 2022 campaign. |
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Signs restricted tender
Thu, Mar 31, 2022, 9:37 PM
Tuttle signed his restricted free agent tender Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Tuttle saw his role increase during the 2021 season, and he responded with a career-high 48 tackles. He should retain a significant role along the Saints defensive line in 2022. |
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