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There’s a ton of hype building for Adam Trautman at New Orleans Saints training camp, but the rest of the tight ends depth chart is starting to look a little shaky. Backup Ethan Wolf, who took former draft pick Tommy Stevens’ spot on the practice squad last season, is expected to miss a week a more with an ankle injury, per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. Veteran pickup Nick Vannett was signed to help replace Josh Hill as the co-starter with Trautman (stepping in for Jared Cook), but he’s missed a few practice sessions without explanation. That leaves New Orleans with just three healthy tight ends available.
NJ.com’s Mike Kaye reports that former Louisiana-Monroe tight end Josh Pederson is one player visiting for a workout; the son of ex-Eagles coach Doug Pederson fits the athletic profile at 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, with enough college production (99 receptions for 1,191 receiving yards and 11 touchdown catches) to move the needle. Maybe he sticks around if his workout goes well.
But SportsTalk790’s Aaron Wilson adds that Pederson faces tough competition in Demetrius Harris, an experienced pro with 108 games (11 of them in the playoffs) behind him. He tips the scales at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds and has made a career as a blocker, with just 83 receptions for 833 yards and 9 touchdowns in his NFL career. He’s previously played for the Chiefs, Browns, and Bears.
Of course other players could be in town for this same workout session. Maybe the Saints choose to not sign any of them and instead rely on Trautman, Garrett Griffin, and Juwan Johnson among the other options on the roster. But if Wolf and Vannett aren’t able to return soon, it’s possible changes are on the way. Stay tuned for updates.
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