The New Orleans Saints released two of their former practice squad players amid a wave of post-NFL draft roster moves, having already brought in upgrades at their position groups. Mid-round draft picks and undrafted free agent pickups at running back and quarterback made some players expendable.
It’s a tough part of the business, but these things happen. The good news is that running back Derrick Gore and quarterback Jake Luton will both have an opportunity to try out for other teams at upcoming rookie minicamps around the league. Spring leagues like the USFL and XFL are also options, as is the Canadian league. First they’ll test waivers after being listed on Tuesday’s update to the daily NFL transactions wire.
Gore, 28, signed with the Saints practice squad last season after bouncing around the league on a couple of different teams, most recently the Kansas City Chiefs. He played college ball at Alabama and Louisiana-Monroe where he led the Warhawks in rushing in both 2017 and 2018.
Luton, 27, also signed with the Saints practice squad last season in the wake of Jameis Winston’s injuries, though he was rarely active on gameday. Like Gore, he signed a reserve/future deal to stay with New Orleans in January. He played collegiately at Idaho and Oregon State with his most prominent pro experience coming with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Good luck to both young men in their next opportunities. These departures, taken with the signing of Montana returns ace Malik Flowers, put the Saints at about 85 players against the 90-man offseason roster limit.
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