Tag: Andrew Dowell

Saints LB Andrew Dowell’s season is over after training camp knee injury

Andrew Dowell’s season is over after exams on his training camp knee injury revealed more damage than expected. It’s a tough break for an underrated player:

This is brutal: the New Orleans Saints had to place linebacker Andrew Dowell on injured reserve Wednesday evening, per the daily NFL transactions wire. Examinations on his knee injury revealed more damage than anticipated, ending the fifth-year pro’s season. It’s a really tough break for a young player who received few guarantees in his minimum-salary contract this summer.

Saints head coach Dennis Allen expressed optimism on Dowell’s outlook after their recent training camp practice, but clearly the injury was more serious than it first appeared. Dowell had been productive at camp after earning more reps for his dependable play on special teams. The 26-year-old led New Orleans in special teams snaps played in 2022 (379) after ranking third (340) a year earlier. He’s known for his skills covering punts and kickoffs, having forced two fumbles in the game’s third phase.

Will the Saints sign someone to replace him? It’s possible, but they have a lot of similar players on the roster as it stands. Veterans Zack Baun, Ryan Connelly, and Ty Summers are both well-versed in special teams work in the NFL. First- and second-year pros like Nephi Sewell, D’Marco Jackson, Anfernee Orji, and Nick Anderson also have a lot of potential. New Orleans could use a more-proven commodity at linebacker to back up Demario Davis and Pete Werner, but don’t look for an earthshaking move here.

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Former Michigan State LB Andrew Dowell re-signs with the New Orleans Saints

Andrew Dowell is staying in New Orleans

Former Michigan State football linebacker Andrew Dowell is heading back to New Orleans. After three seasons and 34 game appearances, primarily in the special teams unit, the New Orleans Saints are bringing back Andrew Dowell for another season.

Dowell, who was a three-year starter for MSU and a former All-Big Ten team honorable mention, went undrafted in 2019 before being signed by the Cowboys. That tenure did not last long as he was cut before joining the Saints’ practice squad. He made his debut with the Saints back in 2020.

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Saints re-sign LB Andrew Dowell, adding depth and a big help on special teams

The New Orleans Saints announced that they have re-signed linebacker Andrew Dowell, adding depth behind Demario Davis and a big help on special teams:

This is good to see: the New Orleans Saints announced Monday that they have re-signed linebacker Andrew Dowell, one of their few restricted free agents. Dowell has spent his entire NFL career with New Orleans after first signing with them as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State back in 2019 — after starting out on the practice squad, he earned a roster spot with his skills on special teams, where he’s played 340 and 377 snaps over the last two years.

He also brings a nice boost to the depth chart behind Demario Davis and Pete Werner. Dowell could be on the same path as Kaden Elliss last year, having proven his value in the kicking game before earning greater opportunities on defense. His coaches and teammates know him well and he could be in line for a bigger role in 2023. We’ll just have to wait and see how things shake out in the 2023 draft and as free agency marches on.

Right now, the Saints linebacker corps includes Dowell, Davis, Werner, Nephi Sewell, Ryan Connelly, and Ty Summers, with Zack Baun and D’Marco Jackson returning from season-ending injuries.

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Saints force a special teams turnover, Tre’Quan Smith catches a TD early vs. Bengals

Saints force a special teams turnover, Tre’Quan Smith catches a touchdown pass early vs. Bengals:

It didn’t take the New Orleans Saints long to get moving against the Cincinnati Bengals. A Demario Davis sack on the Bengals’ opening drive led to their first possession, which also went three-and-out from New Orleans’ territory — but the Saints special teams unit created a turnover, with linebacker Andrew Dowell forcing a fumble on the return and tight end Adam Trautman recovering it.

That gave them fantastic starting field position, which Alvin Kamara improved with a 7-yard run on first down. Taysom Hill converted a first down on a quick pass to Marquez Callaway, and then Andy Dalton stepped up to throw a touchdown pass to Tre’Quan Smith from 18 yards out. It was about as impressive a sequence as you could hope for.

And it was a nice moment for Smith, who has now scored 18 touchdown receptions in his Saints career. He currently ranks at No. 16 in the franchise record books, trailing a three-way tie between Alvin Kamara, Devery Henderson, and Brandin Cooks (who have each caught 20 touchdown passes themselves). He’ll join them with two more scores, and three will get him up to No. 12, tying fan-favorite former Saints tight end Hoby Brenner.

Smith has caught a lot of flak over the years for his drops and inconsistent play, but one thing he’s always done often is score touchdown receptions. The Saints will need even more from him with wide receivers Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, Chris Olave, and Deonte Harty missing this game due to injuries.

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Saints practice squad signs ex-Jets, Titans linebacker Sharif Finch

Saints practice squad signs ex-Jets, Titans linebacker Sharif Finch

The New Orleans Saints are continuing to churn their depth chart, with the Times-Picayune | Advocate’s Luke Johnson reporting that the team signed free agent linebacker Sharif Finch to their practice squad. Before making the jump to the NFL, Finch tied a school record for the most games played in Temple Owls history (53). He initially signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2018, and has seen two stints there while also playing for the New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, and Las Vegas Raiders at different points in his pro career.

Finch has seen nearly as many snaps on special teams (337) as he has on defense (392) in his NFL career, and a role in the kicking game figures to be his path towards getting on the field in New Orleans. The Saints saw two linebackers go down with injuries in last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills and it’s unclear when either of them will be ready to return. Kaden Elliss (239 snaps on special teams) and Andrew Dowell (205 special teams snaps) have been effective in that phase for the Saints.

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Finch has great size for the position and profiles best as a strong side linebacker in the Saints’ defensive scheme (a role Elliss and Andrew have both filled in sparingly behind rookie draft pick Pete Werner). And for the advanced metrics sickos out there, Finch nails the Saints’ size-speed preferences with a Relative Athletic Score of 8.52, timing the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds — impressive for someone at his stature. Hopefully he and Chase Hansen can help the Saints off the practice squad.

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WATCH: Former Michigan State football LB Andrew Dowell blocks a punt

Andrew Dowell blocked another punt in the Saints-Patriots game

Andrew Dowell was known for his playmaking ability during his time in East Lansing as a member of the Spartans football team, and he is carrying that ability over to the NFL.

Now, as a member of the New Orleans Saints, Andrew Dowell has stood out with his ability to make big plays, and he did it again on Sunday in the Saints game against the New England Patriots.

Dowell blocked a punt in a 7-3 game during the first half of the Saints-Patriots game. You can watch it here:

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Andrew Dowell has made the New Orleans Saints 53-man roster

Andrew Dowell has made the Saints official 53-man roster!

Former Michigan State linebacker Andrew Dowell has made the ultimate climb of making an official 53-man roster after going undrafted.

Dowell was not selected in the 2019 NFL Draft after spending four years in East Lansing. In 2019 he signed a contract for training camp with the Dallas Cowboys, but was waived because of an injury.

In 2020, Dowell was offered a training camp invite to the New Orleans Saints, where he played well enough to earn a practice squad spot. Dowell was activated for the Saints week 17 game this past season as well.

After two long years of hard work, Dowell showed out during the 2021 Saints training camp and has earned a spot on the 53-man roster.

Next up is a starting spot for Dowell.

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7 toughest cuts from our Saints 53-man roster projection

7 toughest cuts from our Saints 53-man roster projection

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We’ve got less than a week to go until the New Orleans Saints cut their roster down from 80 players to just 53, which prompted a revised roster projection for Week 1 of the regular season. We’ve got enough data and exposure to the team to make some informed decisions but there’s enough time for some players to make their case for a roster spot. So some of these projections may end up looking far-fetched.

With that said: you can find the full roster projection in complete detail here, and a player-by-player summary here. Here are the seven roster cuts that were tougher than others:

Spartans in the NFL Playoffs: Who is playing, where and when to watch

Seven former Michigan State Spartans are preparing for this weekend’s NFL Wild Card playoffs, while one is on a bye this weekend.

Seven former Michigan State Spartans are preparing for this weekend’s NFL Wild Card playoffs. One of them is lucky enough to have a bye this week as he is on the first place Kansas City Chiefs.

Additionally, Buccaneers quarterback Drew Stanton and Steelers wide receiver Cody White are on the practice squad of their respective teams.

Let’s see when and where former Spartans are playing in the upcoming Wild Card round:

Spartans in the NFL: Raequan Williams gets first career sack in final game of regular season

Kirk Cousins had a monster game against Detroit, Raequan Williams got his first career sack, and Andrew Dowell made his NFL debut. 

Multiple Spartans had a good final game on the season and some even made their NFL debuts. Kirk Cousins had a monster game against Detroit, Raequan Williams got his first career sack, and Andrew Dowell made his NFL debut.

Let’s see how other Spartans did in the NFL in Week 17: