Tag: marquez callaway

Two other teams sign a couple of former Saints wide receivers

The Saints only have a handful of receivers signed for 2024, and players they brought into training camp last year are getting snapped up by other teams:

Do the New Orleans Saints have a problem at wide receiver? Maybe, maybe not. Not in the sense that they don’t have good players: Chris Olave and A.T. Perry are returning for 2024, and Rashid Shaheed will come back on an exclusive-rights free agent deal, too.

But Michael Thomas is on the way out; his contract is set up for him to be released as a post-June 1 cut in March. And at some point the Saints need to start signing players to fill out practice reps at training camp. New Orleans brought a dozen receivers into camp last summer and right now they only have two (technically three). Of those twelve receivers, three are still with the Saints (including Thomas), three are on other teams, and six are free agents (including Shaheed, whose only CBA-allowed option is to re-sign with the Saints). A thirteenth receiver, Jontre Kirklin, arrived late in camp and is currently competing with the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas.

And some of those players who competed in camp last year are getting snapped up by other teams. The New England Patriots signed former seventh-round draft pick Kawaan Baker to a reserve/future deal this week, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss. So did Tre’Quan Smith, who is going to the Detroit Lions, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.

Several practice squad receivers were not retained after the 2023 season. Fan-favorite rookie Shaquan Davis left for the Philadelphia Eagles. Longtime backup Marquez Callaway signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. There aren’t many familiar names left out there.

Ideally the Saints would add enough quality players to keep them on the practice squad if they’re in consideration at all. But that’s not the point. They could run into trouble relying on a ton of undrafted rookies to fill out the depth chart. Odds are they’ll sign some veterans in free agency in March, though it’s possible a couple of qualifying players could sign reserve/future deals in the near future.

Why the delay? The Saints don’t have a wide receivers coach right now. They know that Klint Kubiak will be their offensive coordinator, but missing a position coach could complicate things. They need a clear vision of what to look for in evaluating new additions. Until Kubiak is officially hired and a receivers coach named, this process may continue to draw out.

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Steelers sign former Saints wide receiver Marquez Callaway

The Steelers signed former Saints wide receiver Marquez Callaway to a reserve/future deal:

There’s one member of the 2023 New Orleans Saints playing elsewhere in 2024. The Pittsburgh STeelers announced that they signed wide receiver Marquez Callaway to a reserve/future deal; Callaway was one of three players on the Saints practice squad who were not brought back after the season ended.

Callaway, 25, totaled just 28 snaps on offense in three games this year without drawing a single target. He impressed with 46 receptions for 698 yards and 6 touchdown catches for the Saints back in 2021 but has not returned to those heights. He followed Sean Payton to the Denver Broncos last year but couldn’t make the team.

Now he’ll be trying his hand in Pittsburgh. As for the Saints, they have just three receivers under contract for 2024 in Chris Olave, A.T. Perry, and Michael Thomas, who is likely to be released in a procedural move in March. All-Pro returns specialist Rashid Shaheed is an exclusive rights free agent and is expected to return on a minimum salary, not being eligible for a real extension until 2025. Lynn Bowden Jr. (restricted) and Keith Kirkwood are also Saints free agent receivers of note.

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Saints bring up reinforcements on offense for Week 15 vs. Giants

The Saints brought up reinforcements on offense for Week 15’s Giants game, elevating RT Cameron Erving and WR Marquez Callaway from the practice squad:

Some help is on the way for the New Orleans Saints offense. The Saints brought up reinforcements for Week 15’s game with the New York Giants, elevating right tackle Cameron Erving and wide receiver Marquez Callaway from the practice squad.

And they could both be active on Sunday. The Saints listed starting right tackle Ryan Ramczyk (knee) and their leading wide receiver Chris Olave (ankle) as questionable for this matchup due to injuries, and it’s possible both of them could be sidelined. Ramczyk was limited at practice throughout the week and Olave didn’t participate at all.

Erving started in relief of Ramczyk once already this season, during the Saints’ prime-time loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, so he’s ready to go again if needed. Callaway’s status is less certain. He’s been brought up from the practice squad twice already in the wake of a knee injury for Michael Thomas, so he may or may not have much to do with Olave’s situation. At any rate, we won’t get clarification on Olave or Ramczyk until the inactive report comes out 90 minutes before Sunday’s kickoff. Stay tuned.

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Report: Chris Olave has the flu, expected to play vs. Panthers

NOF reports that New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is expected to play against the Carolina Panthers despite missing practice with the flu:

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was a surprise add to the injury report this week with an illness, but it’s not expected to slow him down much in Sunday’s game with the Carolina Panthers. Olave is officially listed as questionable for this matchup, but NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that he’s expected to play after coming down with the flu.

Olave has gone on a tear in recent weeks with receiving totals of 119, 114, and 94 yards in his last three games, and the Saints need him on top of the depth chart with Michael Thomas on injured reserve while Rashid Shaheed deals with a thigh injury.

And it sounds like that’ll be the case on Sunday. Other receivers on the depth chart include A.T. Perry, Lynn Bowden Jr., and Keith Kirkwood with Marquez Callaway, Jontre Kirklin, and Shaquan Davis on the practice squad.

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Rookie wide receiver Shaquan Davis activated from Saints injury list

Rookie wide receiver Shaquan Davis has been activated from the New Orleans Saints injured/practice squad list:

This is good to see: the New Orleans Saints announced that rookie wide receiver Shaquan Davis has been activated from the practice squad injury list, taking a vacancy created by the release of safety Daniel Sorensen earlier this week.

Davis signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina State and quickly won over the fanbase with some big catches in preseason. He has rare size at a listed 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds.

Injuries have been stacking up at receiver for New Orleans, so there’s a chance Davis could hear his number called soon. Michael Thomas is on injured reserve with a knee injury and a thigh issue has sidelined Rashid Shaheed in recent weeks. Chris Olave didn’t practice Thursday while dealing with an illness.

Other receivers available this week include rookie sixth-round pick A.T. Perry, veterans Lynn Bowden Jr. and Keith Kirkwood, with backups Marquez Callaway and Jontre Kirklin on the practice squad. Stay tuned for game status updates after Friday’s practice session.

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Saints bring up two players from their practice squad for Week 13 vs. Lions

The New Orleans Saints brought up some reinforcements from their practice squad for Week 13’s game with the Detroit Lions in a pair of standard elevations:

The New Orleans Saints brought up some reinforcements from their practice squad for Week 13’s game with the Detroit Lions in a pair of standard elevations, giving wide receiver Marquez Callaway and fullback Adam Prentice an opportunity to return to the lineup.

Callaway was recently re-signed after a knee injury put Michael Thomas out of action for at least the next four games. He’s experienced in the system, having started his pro career in New Orleans, though he spent the summer with Sean Payton on the Denver Broncos.

Rashid Shaheed (thigh) has also been ruled out with an injury and Chris Olave (concussion protocol) is questionable for this game, so the receivers we know the Saints will have available include Callaway, A.T. Perry, Keith Kirkwood, and Lynn Bowden Jr.

As for Prentice: the fullback spent some time on injured reserve earlier this season and returned to be bumped down to the practice squad. He’s already been elevated once so the Saints can call him up like this one more time before they’ll need to sign him to the 53-man roster again if they want to continue playing him. As is the case for Callaway, Prentice will revert to the practice squad after Sunday’s game with the Lions.

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A.T. Perry has an opportunity to prove himself in Michael Thomas’ absence

A.T. Perry has a big opportunity to prove himself in Michael Thomas’ absence. The rookie must step up with a vacancy in the receiving corps:

The New Orleans Saints have placed wide receiver Michael Thomas on injured reserve. This continues an unfortunate trend for the wide receiver, though there’s hope he returns before the end of the season. There are two ways to go about filling Thomas’ role. You’re likely replacing his production with multiple players, but who’s going to step into his role.

New Orleans brought back Keith Kirkwood and Marquez Callaway after Thomas’ injury. The Saints philosophy is to typically lean on veteran players. Kirkwood had 209 receiving yards as a rookie with New Orleans, but that was in 2018. Callaway was the Saints lead receiver when Thomas missed a whole season. Callaway would be able to slot well into Thomas role.

However, neither Callaway or Kirkwood have Perry’s upside. The Saints should lean away from their typical reliance on veterans in favor of getting a bigger sample size of a young player. Thomas’ absence opens the door for A.T. Perry to show himself deserving of a bigger role. Perry is a rookie who registered his first catch and touchdown in last week’s game versus the Minnesota Vikings.

In this week’s opening press conference, Saints head coach Dennis Allen said “Mike’s position is the kind of position they see Perry playing” and expected a bigger role for Perry. This is the right call, as Perry deserves an opportunity to show if he can be a future asset for the Saints.

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Saints promote CB Cameron Dantzler, reunite with WR Marquez Callaway

The Saints promoted CB Cameron Dantzler from their practice squad, opening a slot to reunite with WR Marquez Callaway:

The New Orleans Saints are working to account for several key injuries this week. After putting wide receiver Michael Thomas on injured reserve, the Saints signed WR Marquez Callaway to their practice squad — reuniting with the former starter who filled in for Thomas during the last three years.

But they had to open a spot on the practice squad for him. With a slot vacant on the 53-man roster and cornerback Marshon Lattimore dealing with an ankle sprain, the Saints promoted Cameron Dantzler. Dantzler appeared in two games earlier this season exclusively on special teams, but he’s an experienced pro who can help round out the depth chart.

So now the Saints have Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor, Isaac Yiadom and Dantzler available on the 53-man roster with Lattimore on the mend. Veteran safeties Ugo Amadi and Lonnie Johnson Jr. can also cover the slot and line up at corner in a pinch. We’ll have to wait and see what the plan is on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

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Dennis Allen: Michael Thomas, Marshon Lattimore may ‘take some time’ with injuries

Saints head coach Dennis Allen said that WR Michael Thomas and CB Marshon Lattimore may ‘take some time’ recovering from injuries:

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen addressed injuries to star players Michael Thomas and Marshon Lattimore on Monday, and it doesn’t sound like either of them will be available for Sunday’s game with the Atlanta Falcons. Thomas and Lattimore exited the Saints’ loss to the Minnesota Vikings with knee and ankle injuries before the bye week.

“I think Michael Thomas and Lattimore, these are injuries that are going to take some time. But I think other than that we’re in a pretty good spot,” Allen said. When asked about possibly placing either player on injured reserve, he responded, “I don’t know, we’ll see.”

Allen declined to specify who will be filling in for either of them, acknowledging that veteran backup Isaac Yiadom was an option to start in Lattimore’s place. The Saints could also rotate Alontae Taylor there out of the slot or ask Paulson Adebo to play on the other side of the field. They have options.

That’s also true offensively. A.T. Perry made a few plays against Minnesota while stepping in for Thomas, but the Saints have brought in experienced pros Keith Kirkwood and Marquez Callaway in recent days, too. Allen’s keeping his cards tight to his vest on this front. Hopefully Thomas and Lattimore can heal up and get back on the field sooner rather than later.

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Saints bring back another familiar face after Michael Thomas injury

With Michael Thomas on the mend, the Saints have brought back another familiar face: wide receiver Marquez Callaway

With Michael Thomas on the mend, the New Orleans Saints have brought back another familiar face: wide receiver Marquez Callaway. Callaway was spotted in the open locker room media session on Monday at the team practice facility, though it isn’t immediately clear whether he’s on the practice squad or the 53-man roster, or what the corresponding roster move is for his return.

Callaway spent the first three years of his career with the Saints, peaking in 2021 with 46 catches for 698 yards and 6 touchdown receptions. The 6-foot-2, 204-pound wideout was college teammates with Alvin Kamara and Alontae Taylor at Tennessee. The Saints declined to extend his contract this offseason so he followed Sean Payton to the Denver Broncos, but was let go during roster cuts after training camp and spent a few weeks on the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad.

Now he’s back — and so is Keith Kirkwood, another veteran receiver who knows the playbook. It’s worth bringing in experienced pros like them to tide the team over if Thomas is going to miss extended time.

But you have to hope their presence won’t come at a detriment to A.T. Perry. The rookie wideout stepped up when Thomas was injured early on against the Minnesota Vikings, catching a 15-yard touchdown pass and a 23-yard pickup that was the team’s second-longest play from scrimmage. He deserves more targets, but Dennis Allen’s coaching staff may feel differently.

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