Former Saints WRs Emmanuel Butler, Cameron Meredith among Lions tryouts

The Detroit Lions tried out several free agents including former New Orleans Saints wide receivers Emmanuel Butler and Cameron Meredith.

[jwplayer 97eUMtxY-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints did not report any free agent visits or tryouts on the daily NFL transactions wire, but two of their former wide receivers auditioned for the Detroit Lions: second-year pro Emmanuel Butler and veteran free agent Cameron Meredith.

Butler spent his 2019 rookie season with the Saints practice squad and looked solid in training camp over the summer, but didn’t make the team. Right now, the Saints have five receivers on the 53-man roster (Michael Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Tre’Quan Smith, Deonte Harris, and rookie Marquez Callaway) plus three more options on their practice squad (Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Austin Carr, and rookie Juwan Johnson).

Meredith was a notable restricted free agent pickup for the Saints a few years, but lingering health issues from a 2017 knee injury limited his availability. After the Saints released him, Cameron spent time with the receiver-needy New England Patriots last year but wasn’t able to get activated from the physically unable to perform list. He’s still trying to make a go of it in the NFL, so it’s possible his body has recovered.

Neither receiver was initially signed by the Lions following their tryout, however (with former Michigan State quarterback Bryan Lewerke throwing to them). More team visits could be ahead for them, but at this stage both former Saints are looking for work. Hopefully they’ll find it soon.

[vertical-gallery id=37516]