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The New Orleans Saints have brought in another veteran to audition for a roster spot in their next preseason game. The Times-Picayune | Advocate’s Amie Just first reported that the Saints have signed free agent safety Jeff Heath, following a tryout alongside longtime Minnesota Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo.
Heath, 30, has already played eight years in the NFL — all with the Dallas Cowboys until 2020, when he joined the Las Vegas Raiders and led the team with three interceptions. He’s spent most of his snaps lining up free safety (63.5%, per Pro Football Focus charting), though he also ranked fifth on the team in special teams snaps played (279).
New Orleans’ top safeties have been active in practice, with Marcus Williams recently snagging an interception in team drills while Malcolm Jenkins and C.J. Gardner-Johnson continue to play heavy minutes. There’s a gridlock of young safeties behind All-Pro special teams ace J.T. Gray in rookies Deuce Wallace, Eric Burrell, and Bryce Thompson, so Heath adds some veteran experience to the mix.
It’s worth noting that the Saints didn’t re-sign D.J. Swearinger this offseason after he helped out a lot in the bottom of their depth chart in 2020, so maybe Heath has an opportunity to take that spot. Additionally, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport observed that Heath’s arrival could help the Saints maintain their practice rotation should dime back P.J. Williams have to go back to corner after converting to free safety. The Saints have taken a series of hits to the cornerbacks depth chart in training camp and may need the reinforcements.
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