#Saints are signing running back Xazavian Valladay to the practice squad, per his agent @thelawmvp. Valladay was last with the Jets practice squad.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 5, 2024
The New Orleans Saints have brought in additional running back depth by signing second-year player Xazavian Valladay to the practice squad, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler The Saints currently have three running backs on the 53-man roster: Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and Jordan Mims.
However, Williams is dealing with a groin injury right now and missed the Saints’ Week 9 game. They also have Jacob Kibodi on the practice squad as of this moment.
Valladay was an exceptional running back at the college level, putting together four 1,00-yard rushing seasons, including in 2019 when he led the PAC-12 in rushing attempts (247), rushing yards (1,265), and plays from scrimmage (258). Over his five years in college, he played in 54 games accruing 841 rush attempts, 4,473 yards (5.3 yards per carry), 35 rushing touchdowns, as well as 88 receptions for 873 yards and 4 receiving touchdowns.
Overall he was very good at both Wyoming and Arizona State, but would go undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft class. He has signed three practice squad deals since then, with the Houston Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, and New York Jets from late 2023 to 2024, before being released in September.
Though he does only have one game on the active roster of an NFL team, he is still only one year into his tenure and showed flashes of promise in college. Also a fun fact, if he were to make the 53-man roster, he would be the first Saint to do so with their first name starting with the letter “X”. One of the few exceptions from him being the only Saint to ever sign with the team under those circumstances is Xavier Rush, who signed in Aug. 2017 for a few weeks.
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