Tag: Jordan Howard

Saints release both of their practice squad running backs

The Saints released each of their practice squad running backs on Tuesday, parting ways with both Jordan Howard and Derrick Gore:

Well that’s something. The New Orleans Saints released both of their practice squad running backs on Tuesday, parting ways with Jordan Howard and Derrick Gore, which comes as a bit of a surprise given how much effort the team put into restocking the depth chart at this position.

They’ve cycled through running backs including Latavius Murray, Tony Jones Jr., and James Funk, each of whom are currently on other rosters around the league. The Saints just managed 29 rushing yards in their Week 10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, their lowest single-game total since a loss to the Baltimore Ravens back on Dec. 19, 2010. Their running game hasn’t exactly been reliable this season.

But it may suggest good news is coming for Mark Ingram II, who has been sidelined in recent weeks with a knee injury. Howard has been elevated for each of the last two games while Ingram was on the mend, though he logged just a handful of snaps on offense (gaining a single yard on his lone rushing attempt). Gore had not gotten into a game prior to his release.

This leaves Ingram, Alvin Kamara, and Dwayne Washington as the only running backs currently under contract, though the Saints do have a pair of fullbacks on the 53-man roster in J.P. Holtz (active for six games this season) and Adam Prentice (active for the first time since Week 3 last Sunday). Maybe more additions are coming, or the Saints are simply comfortable working with who they have. We’ll keep an eye out for movement.

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Saints activate P.J. Williams from injured reserve among last-minute roster moves

Saints activate P.J. Williams from injured reserve, sign Kevin White to the 53-man roster among last-minute roster moves:

There we go: the New Orleans Saints announced a series of last-minute roster moves ahead of Monday night’s kickoff with the Baltimore Ravens, calling up several players from various reserve lists. This brings some ramifications for players already on the roster, but for the most part these are predictable moves. Let’s break down each transaction reported Monday afternoon:

Saints practice squad adds former Rams RB Jake Funk

Saints practice squad adds former Rams running back Jake Funk after signing veteran free agent Jordan Howard:

The New Orleans Saints practice squad added former Los Angeles Rams running back Jake Funk after signing veteran free agent Jordan Howard, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Funk, 24, was a seventh round pick by L.A. out of Maryland in 2021 and primarily played on special teams — he’s logged just two carries in the NFL, gaining 6 yards on one attempt and losing a yard on the other.

He’s also returned 4 kicks to gain 88 yards, an average of 22 yards per try, though the bulk of Funk’s focus has been centered on covering punts and kickoffs rather than returning them. The Rams released Funk this week while reshuffling their depth chart in the wake of several injuries, and after clearing waivers he became a free agent. Rapoport adds that he had other opportunities around the league but chose to sign with New Orleans’ practice squad.

Funk is the second running back to sign with the Saints practice squad this week after New Orleans picked up Howard; they’re both slotted in behind Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram II, and Dwayne Washington on the depth chart. It makes sense for the team reload at the position after losing Latavius Murray and Tony Jones Jr. in subsequent weeks, but this still feels like an area that could be better improved by trading for a more-accomplished player. We’ll see if anything materializes on that front ahead of the Nov. 1 NFL trade deadline.

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Saints sign former Eagles RB Jordan Howard to their practice squad

Saints sign former Eagles RB Jordan Howard to their practice squad

There’s some help at running back. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that the New Orleans Saints signed running back Jordan Howard to their practice squad, following a tryout including several other free agents. The Saints needed reinforcements at the position after losing backups Latavius Murray and Tony Jones Jr. in recent weeks.

Howard, who turns 28 on Nov. 2, made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and has averaged a solid 4.3 yards per carry throughout his NFL career. He started out with the Chicago Bears (appearing in 47 games from 2016 to 2018) before rising to prominence with the Philadelphia Eagles (19 games from 2019 to 2021), though he also spent some time with the Miami Dolphins (5 games in 2020). Howard most recently logged 86 carries for 406 rushing yards and 3 touchdown runs in 2021 with Philly, a pace of 4.7 yards per attempt.

He’ll be backing up Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram II, and Dwayne Washington in New Orleans. Kamara returned in triumph last week against the Seattle Seahawks, but he can’t do it all on his own, so having quality depth at the position is critical. We’ll see if the Saints are settled here or if other moves are on the way in the days and weeks ahead, with the NFL trade deadline looming on Nov. 1.

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Saints try out a group of free agent running backs

The Saints brought in a group of free agent running backs for tryouts after losing Latavius Murray and Tony Jones Jr.:

It’s been a rough couple of weeks for the New Orleans Saints running backs. Their depth chart has taken several hits with veteran backup Latavius Murray leaving the practice squad for a better opportunity with the Denver Broncos and third-year pro Tony Jones Jr. being claimed by the Seattle Seahawks off of the waiver wire.

That leaves New Orleans with just three players at the position: Alvin Kamara, Mark Ingram II, and Dwayne Washington. So it isn’t surprising to see the team fly in a group of free agents for tryouts this week. Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson reports that the Saints had four running backs work out at the team’s practice facility:

Former Eagles RB Jordan Howard among latest Saints free agent tryouts

Former Eagles RB Jordan Howard, USFL Defensive Player of the Year Chris Odom among latest Saints free agent tryouts:

The start of New Orleans Saints training camp is here, so it makes sense for the team to fly in a handful of free agents for tryouts now that they’re getting a better grasp on their roster. Putting players through their paces in practice each day and checking in on various injury situations helps inform the Saints on where they still need help, and that’s reflected in their latest tryouts.

We know running back is a priority for them, so it’s good to see WWLTV’s Brooke Kirchhofer report that former Philadelphia Eagles backup Jordan Howard will be trying out soon. New Orleans could use an upgrade in the backfield behind Alvin Kamara regardless of his status, and Howard brings some value as a runner who has averaged 50-plus rushing yards per game in three of the last four seasons. He’ll be a good comparison for the Saints to work out alongside Darius Victor, the USFL’s Offensive Player of the Year who will be trying out soon.

Additionally, NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that the Saints will work out defensive end Chris Odom — a playmaking pass rusher who just won recognition as USFL Defensive Player of the Year with the Houston Gamblers. Odom bagged 12.5 sacks (leading the spring league), 8 tackles for loss, and 6 forced fumbles while blocking 4 kicks. The Saints run deep at defensive end but it’s still worth giving him a look, especially with Marcus Davenport starting camp on the PUP list. You can never have enough pass rushers.

It’s likely that the Saints are hosting other free agents, too, but we won’t know for sure until it’s reported or declared by the team to the NFL daily transactions wire. We’ll be keeping an eye out to see if any of this activity results in a contract or two.

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Eagles 2022 training camp preview: Running back

Philadelphia Eagles 2022 training camp preview: We’ll take a look at Miles Sanders and the running backs currently on the roster

The Eagles finished the 2021 NFL season with a franchise record 2,715 yards rushing, but all was not well at the running back position, as quarterback Jalen Hurts led the team in overall rushing with almost 800-yards total on the ground.

We’ll continue our 2022 training camp preview by looking at Philadelphia’s running backs group.

The Eagles currently have Miles Sanders, Kenny Gainwell, Boston Scott Kennedy Brooks, and Jason Huntley on the roster, while Jordan Howard is an unrestricted free agent and still unsigned.

Here’s an early preview of Philadelphia’s running back situation.

List of Eagles free agents who remain unsigned

List of Philadelphia Eagles free agents who remain unsigned

The Eagles entered the 2022 NFL free agency period with 14 players who were available to sign elsewhere, and that didn’t include a decision from Jason Kelce on his future.

Philadelphia made one splash move by signing Haason Reddick and then made a solid value signing by adding Kyzir White.

With the draft and offseason workout just weeks away, here are the Eagles’ remaining free agents.

7 takeaways from Eagles’ GM Howie Roseman at the NFL Combine

Here are 7 takeaways from #Eagles’ GM Howie #Roseman and his media session at the #NFLCombine on Wednesday #Hurts #NFLDraft2022 #MilesSanders #Linebackers

The Eagles met the media on Wednesday, as both GM Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni answered questions for about 15 minutes during separate sessions at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Roseman again addressed the elephant in the room, reaffirming his support for quarterback Jalen Hurts, while also committing to building around the third-year signal-caller.

Philadelphia will have three first-round picks in April’s draft, and Roseman seems prepared to add two or three dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball.

Here are seven takeaways from Roseman’s entertaining session.

Eagles 2022 offseason preview: Where does Philadelphia stand at RB?

We’re previewing the #Philadelphia #Eagles running backs group entering 2022 #NFL free agency

The Eagles finished the 2021 NFL season with a franchise-record of 2,715 yards rushing, but all was not well at the position, as quarterback Jalen Hurts led the team in overall rushing with almost 800-yards on the ground.

We’ll continue our 2022 offseason preview by taking a look at Philadelphia’s running backs group entering the free agency period.

The Eagles currently have Miles Sanders, Kenny Gainwell, and Jason Huntley on the roster, while Jordan Howard is set to be an unrestricted free agent and Boston Scott is set to be a restricted free agent.

Here’s an early preview of Philadelphia’s running back situation.