The New Orelans Saints agreed to terms on a free agent contract with former Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman James Hurst, as first announced by his agent Jack Bechta. ESPN’s Field Yates reported that it’s a one-year deal between Hurst and the Saints, though pens haven’t yet been put to paper.
It’s a big addition for New Orleans, even if Hurst will serve a four-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy. The 28-year-old has started 44 games for the Ravens going back to 2014, predominately at left guard (19 starts) and left tackle (16). Pushed down to a backup role in 2019, he filled in at a few different spots over the course of the season while also lining up as a tight end in jumbo sets.
Per the terms of his suspension, Hurst will be allowed to participate in the Saints offseason program (though he likely won’t do much until the team meets for training camp later this summer) but must step away from the team until the Monday after their fourth game — meaning he won’t be eligible until their Week 5 home game with the Los Angeles Chargers, just before their bye week. But first, he has to make the squad. Stay tuned for a corresponding move once this signing becomes official.
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