A veteran linebacker has been called up from the New Orleans Saints practice squad for Week 1’s kickoff game with the Tennessee Titans, but it isn’t who you’re probably thinking of. The Saints declared linebacker Ryan Connelly and running back Tony Jones Jr. as their two allotted game-week standard elevations on Saturday, giving both pros a chance to play on Sunday.
Why Connelly and not Jaylon Smith, the former Pro Bowler and fan-favorite? Saints coach Dennis Allen has made it clear that a role on special teams will be required for any backup linebacker on the active roster, and that’s an area where Connelly shined over the summer with 32 snaps covering punts and kickoffs in two preseason games. Smith didn’t play a single snap in the kicking game in preseason. With Demario Davis and Pete Werner starting any of their backups must help out in the game’s third phase to justify a spot on the active roster.
That’s not to say Smith won’t find a role on this team sooner or later. If he can match Zack Baun’s productivity on the strong side he could climb the depth chart in a hurry, though most of his career thus far has been spent at middle linebacker. Fans may not see much of him unless Davis or Werner goes down with an injury. Hopefully he can find a way onto the field that doesn’t require that.
What about Jones? The Saints brought back their former backup after the Denver Broncos released him during roster cuts and he could play this week. Rookie running back Kendre Miller is questionable with a hamstring injury that’s kept him out of practice for two weeks and it might make more sense to rest him a little longer while having Jones and Kirk Merritt back up Jamaal Williams. The backfield is still missing Alvin Kamara, but Jones is someone the Saints have expressed confidence in as an experienced pro who knows what’s expected of him.
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