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The New Orleans Saints brought back an important piece of their special teams unit on Friday, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. Underhill reports that cornerback Justin Hardee, a Saints restricted free agent, agreed to terms on a contract which The Athletic’s Katherine Terrell added will last one year.
This is an important addition beyond the continuity it ensures on punt and kickoff coverage. Hardee is someone the Saints have been developing for years as a backup cornerback, having entered the NFL as a wide receiver out of college. He spoke last summer about the work he’s put in to earn his stripes in the pro ranks, and remains a popular member of the locker room.
It’s doubly important when you consider that the Saints only had one cornerback under contract before Hardee agreed to return. While Marshon Lattimore had his fifth-year option for 2021 picked up and Patrick Robinson agreed to a pay cut, Janoris Jenkins is the only other corner signed on for the 2020 season. Hardee’s presence helps fill out the depth chart and keep someone around that the Saints have invested in.
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