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Well, that’s a quick conclusion for the two punter experiment. The New Orleans Saints lost rookie punter Blake Gillikin to injured reserve on the Wednesday NFL transactions wire, having previously listed him as not participating in practice due to a back injury.
Gillikin, signed out of Penn State and guaranteed nothing but a $5,000 signing bonus, initially made the 53-man roster after punting well in training camp. He was the designated backup for Thomas Morstead, who has been with the Saints since 2009 and embraced his role as a mentor for the rookie.
The Saints could theoretically reactivate Gillikin after three weeks due to adjusted COVID-19 rules, but it’s tough to see a way for him to get back on the roster. The Saints only kept him around in the first place to protect him from being poached by another team on waivers, so his year is likely finished.
That said, it’ll be fascinating to see what happens next. Gillikin is signed through 2022 on a cheap rookie contract which would have him become a restricted free agent in 2023, making him far more affordable than Morstead. While the 34-year old Morstead is one of the best punters in the NFL today, his trade or release in 2021 would free up as much as $3.5 million against the salary cap, which is expected to plummet more than $23 million next year.
If the Saints really believe Gillikin could be the future of the position in New Orleans, this might be a move they’re forced to make. Salary cap constraints will limit opportunities for veteran players all around the league.
For now, though, Morstead is one of the longest-tenured and most-respected members of the Saints locker room. Hopefully he can help the team win another Super Bowl ring, just like they did in his own rookie season.
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