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New Orleans Saints are signing running back Devine Ozigbo off the Jacksonville Jaguars' practice squad to their active roster, pending a physical, according to a league source. Former undrafted free agent from Nebraska signed with Saints originally in 2019
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 6, 2021
The New Orleans Saints needed another running back, and now they’ve got one. Houston beat writer Aaron Wilson first reported Tuesday evening that the Saints plan to poach Devine Ozigbo from the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, adding the third-year pro to their 53-man roster. Because he’s being signed from another team’s practice squad, the next three weeks of Ozigbo’s salary will be guaranteed.
Some fans may remember Ozigbo from the 2019 preseason, when he signed with New Orleans as an undrafted rookie out of Nebraska. He performed well in all phases as a runner, receiver, and even in pass protection, but was buried on the Saints depth chart behind Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray, and special teams ace Dwayne Washington. Since joining Jacksonville, he’s languished behind a strong backfield built around James Robinson and, until his preseason injury, first-round draft pick Travis Etienne.
Now 25 years old and with just 22 NFL touches to his name (10 carries for 28 rushing yards, plus 12 receptions for 65 receiving yards), Ozigbo offers a nice injection of athleticism to the position. His 8.11 Relative Athletic Score fits the prototype the Saints have valued.
As for what led the Saints to this? Promising No. 2 running back Tony Jones Jr. was cut down by an ankle injury in Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants, opening a hole in the rotation. With just Kamara and Washington under contract, the Saints auditioned the five best available free agents before opting to sign Ozigbo away from the Jaguars. He’ll have an opportunity to play right away with Jones out of action the next three or four weeks. And considering the toxic situation brewing back in Jacksonville, well — he’s probably eager to embrace a change in scenery.
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