Tag: roster moves

Former Saints kicker Garrett Hartley waived by XFL’s Seattle Dragons

Ex-New Orleans Saints kicker Garrett Hartley initially made the cut for the XFL Seattle Dragons team, but was waived due to poor medicals.

Super Bowl XLIV-winning New Orleans Saints kicker Garrett Hartley received tough news Wednesday: the XFL’s Seattle Dragons waived the 33-year-old, which Hartley explained was due to medical concerns. XFL News Hub’s Konnor Fulk first reported that Hartley would be waived. He recently joined the XFL’s Seattle branch last weekend.

Hartley announced his departure from Seattle on Instagram in an emotional two-minute video. He expressed frustration with the process, saying, “Unfortunately my time in Seattle has been cut short. Even with a world renowned spine surgeon’s backing as well as other experts, the XFL wouldn’t clear me to play.”

He was a long shot to stick in the XFL anyway, having last kicked professionally in the 2015 presesaon with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But a hamstring injury ended his NFL hopes, and it appears a spine issue will keep him out of the XFL. It’s a tough break for someone who has worked hard to get back to this stage, and appeared to get so close before the XFL’s doctors shut that door. It’s puzzling that Hartley’s medicals were cleared for his XFL workout and that he made it so far into the process as to be assigned a uniform before someone pulled the plug.

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Saints make several roster moves before Week 17, waive DeShawn Shead

The New Orleans Saints promoted practice squad Lil’Jordan Humphrey and re-signed Ricky Ortiz, but waived Michael Ola and DeShawn Shead.

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The New Orleans Saints made a handful of roster moves on Saturday, just a day before their Week 17 kickoff with the Carolina Panthers. ESPN’s Mike Triplett and Nola.com’s Amie Just first reported the transactions.

Two players were waived from the active roster, including veteran offensive tackle Michael Ola and recently-signed defensive back DeShawn Shead.

In their place, the Saints called up practice squad wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey and brought back fullback Ricky Ortiz. Ortiz spent a few weeks on the Saints practice squad from Nov. 22 to Dec. 4, while Humphrey was promoted to the active roster for several games earlier this year.

These moves were likely made in response to a number of still-developing injury situations for New Orleans. All-star left tackle Terron Armstead was not listed on the Saints injury report this week after spending the better part of a month recovering from a high-ankle sprain, making Ola’s spot on the roster unnecessary.

On top of that, Saints fullback Zach Line was a sudden addition to Friday’s injury report, while dealing with a knee injury. He was sidelined for a few recent games with the same issue, so Ortiz’s addition probably signals that Line will be unavailable against Carolina.

As for Humphrey’s call-up: the Saints designated reserve wideout Krishawn Hogan to the injured reserve list after last week’s win over the Tennessee Titans, opening up a spot on the active roster. Hogan was predominately used as a blocker, which Humphrey may be better-suited for than fellow rookie Emmanuel Sanders.

Shead’s release is puzzling, though. The Saints are going to be without three of their top defensive backs (including safeties Vonn Bell and Marcus Williams, and cornerback Eli Apple) so having someone with experience at several positions would have been useful. This could mean that they like their depth in the secondary well enough and weren’t expecting Shead to play much in his first week on the job anyway. It’s possible he returns after this game, however, but by no means is that a sure thing.

So now the Saints 53-man roster is back at capacity, while the practice squad has one open spot. Stay tuned to see what the Saints choose to do next.

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Saints swap practice squad tight ends, sign Cole Wick and waive Jerell Adams

The New Orleans Saints waived tight end Jerell Adams from their practice squad and signed Cole Wick, another journeyman tight end.

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The New Orleans Saints shuffled their practice squad on Friday, waiving recently-signed tight end Jerell Adams to make room for another tight end in Cole Wick. Adams joined the Saints just over two weeks ago after making previous stops with the New York Giants and Houston Texans.

Wick is a fourth-year pro with good size (listed at 6-foot-6, 257 pounds) who has bounced between one practice squad after the next, starting out with the Detroit Lions in 2016 before joining the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. He moved on to the Tennessee Titans in 2018 and was signed to the Oakland Raiders practice squad after roster cuts in 2019. The Raiders waived him on Dec. 11. The Tampa Bay Vipers selected him in the first XFL Draft, but it’s unclear whether he plans to take them up on the offer.

Intriguingly, Wick was a college teammate at Incarnate Word with another former member of the Saints practice Squad. Defensive end Alex Jenkins spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons in New Orleans through the NFL International Pathway program. That initiative granted each NFC South team an eleventh roster spot to give an opportunity to a player from an international background, which Jenkins possessed as a native of Bath, England. He’s currently on the New York Giants injured reserve list.

As for the players currently on the Saints practice squad:

  • TE Cole Wick
  • OL Casey Dunn
  • DL Jalen Dalton
  • CB Chris Johnson
  • LB Andrew Dowell
  • WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
  • WR Emmanuel Butler
  • RB/WR Taquan Mizzell
  • OL Derrick Kelly
  • TE/DL Mitchell Loewen

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Ex-Saints practice squad QB J.T. Barrett signs with Steelers

Former New Orleans Saints and Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad in Week 17.

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Former New Orelans Saints quarterback J.T. Barrett has caught on with a new team after shuffling on and off of the Saints practice squad during his first two years in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed Barrett to their own practice squad, the team announced Tuesday.

Barrett initially signed with the Saints out of Ohio State in May 2018, following a tryout during rookie minicamp; he went on to be released and re-signed in 28 transactions, most recently being waived on Oct. 22, 2019. That’s one shy of the dubious team record former Saints wide receiver Andy Tanner set from 2011 to 2015, having been signed, waived, or re-signed 29 times.

While it’s unlikely Barrett gets on the field at M&T Bank Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens, we can’t rule it out altogether. The Steelers are very short-handed at quarterback in the wake of year-ending injuries to Ben Roethlisberger and Mason Rudolph, with Devlin Hodges (nicknamed “Duck”) expected to close out the regular season. Paxton Lynch will back him up, rounding out this “who’s who” of NFL quarterbacks. Still, it looks like Barrett’s first real NFL action will continue to evade him.

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Saints roster moves: DB DeShawn Shead signed, WR Krishawn Hogan to I.R.

The New Orleans Saints officially signed DB DeShawn Shead, listing him as a safety. WR Krishawn Hogan ended his year on injured reserve.

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The New Orleans Saints made their signing of veteran defensive back DeShawn Shead official on Wednesday, listing his addition on the daily NFL transactions report. Interestingly, the Saints designated him to play safety; Shead’s NFL experience as been limited to cornerback in his seven-year career, though he tried out at safety for the Seattle Seahawks during their 2019 training camp and preseason. It didn’t stick, however, and he’s been a free agent since.

This might suggest that the Saints don’t expect Shead to play right away, despite injuries to starting free safety Marcus Williams and strong safety Vonn Bell. They adjusted on the fly during last week’s game with the Tennessee titans by subbing in cornerback P.J. Williams and rookie defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, each of whom have spent the bulk of the season defending the slot. Asking Shead to learn a new position and playbook after three-ish days of practice is a tall order. But it obviously can’t be ruled out given how thinly the Saints are spread in the secondary.

Additionally, the Saints reported that they signed second-year center Casey Dunn to their practice squad. The Green Bay Packers poached rookie offensive lineman John Leglue from the Saints practice squad last week, making an availability for Dunn.

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 307 pounds, played three years at Jacksonville State before transferring to Auburn, and he was signed as an undrafted rookie by the Washington Redskins in 2018. He suited up for each of their first two games before being demoted to their practice squad, and he spent some of the 2019 offseason on injured reserve before being released on September 24. Now, he’ll get a late-season tryout with the Saints.

Here’s the updated Saints practice squad:

  • OL Casey Dunn
  • DL Jalen Dalton
  • CB Chris Johnson
  • TE Jerrell Adams
  • LB Andrew Dowell
  • WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
  • WR Emmanuel Butler
  • RB/WR Taquan Mizzell
  • OL Derrick Kelly
  • TE/DL Mitchell Loewen

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Chris Carson, C.J. Prosise likely out for remainder of Seahawks’ season

Seattle Seahawks running backs Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise, who suffered injuries against the Cardinals, are likely out for the season.

The Seattle Seahawks suffered a devasting loss to the Arizona Cardinals Week 16 but even more disappointing is the injuries to the running backs as the team continues its push for the division crown.

Both starter Chris Carson and backup C.J. Prosise suffered potential season-ending injuries Sunday afternoon. Carson sustained some damage to his hip and Prosise broke his arm.

“We did get both our running backs banged up today – Chris and C.J. both got hurt,” coach Pete Carroll said in his postgame press conference. “They are out. We’ve got to get to scambling and Johnny’s (Schneider) got to get to work and figure out what we’re doing next. It’s a lot of game for (Travis) Homer to have to play by himself.

“So we’ll make some moves here and figure stuff out.”

As of now, Homer remains the only healthy running back on the Seahawks’ active roster. Seattle could call up Xavier Turner from the practice squad but will likely attempt to sign a veteran or two to add some depth to the incredibly depleted position.

This story is continuing to develop.

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Packers poach New Orleans-native John Leglue from Saints practice squad

The Green Bay Packers signed former Tulane offensive lineman John Leglue from the New Orleans Saints practice squad ahead of Week 16’s games

The New Orleans Saints rookie offensive lineman John Leglue from their practice squad on Saturday, when he announced on social media that he would be accepting a spot on the Green Bay Packers’ active roster. Leglue had spent the season with the Saints ever since they picked him up during roster cuts in September.

Leglue was a versatile prospect out of Tulane, and a New Orleans native who was ecstatic to play for his hometown team. Leglue was tied with wide receiver Emmanuel Butler as the highest-paid members of the Saints practice at $10,000 per week. But the opportunity to join an active roster — and the possibility of real playing time — was too good for him to pass up. He played all five offensive line positions in college, and offers some upside to the Packers as someone who can fill in anywhere up front.

As for the Saints: this leaves them undermanned on the practice squad despite some recent shakeups, including the additions of defensive lineman Jalen Dalton (from North Carolina) and defensive back Chris Johnson (out of North Alabama). They make up a practice squad that includes wide receivers Butler and Lil’Jordan Humphrey, running back/wide receiver Taquan Mizzell, right tackle Derrick Kelly, linebacker Andrew Dowell, tight end Jerrell Adams, and tight end/defensive lineman Mitchell Loewen.

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Saints fill two practice squad vacancies, sign D.J. Swearinger after tryouts

The New Orleans Saints held free agent tryouts and signed S D.J. Swearinger. DT Jalen Dalton and DB Chris Johnson joined the practice squad.

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The New Orleans Saints called up two players form their practice squad for Monday night’s game with the Indianapolis Colts, promoting defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth and safety T.J. Green. Green was waived on Wednesday to open up a roster spot for veteran safety D.J. Swearinger, who took part in a group workout at the Saints practice facility. Per a report from Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, that list included:

  • DB Kentrell Brice, Louisiana Tech
  • DL Jalen Dalton, North Carolina
  • DL Mike Hughes, UNLV
  • DB Chris Johnson, North Alabama
  • DB Derrick Kindred, TCU
  • DL Tomasi Laulile, BYU
  • DB Deshawn Shead, Portland State
  • DB Tre Sullivan, Shepherd
  • DB D.J. Swearinger, South Carolina

While Swearinger signed with the Saints as a member of the 53-man active roster, New Orleans filled their two vacancies on the practice squad by signing Dalton and Johnson.

Dalton (6-foot-6, 300 pounds) is a rookie defensive tackle/end hybrid who can line up almost anywhere up front. He initially signed with the Chicago Bears after the 2019 NFL Draft, but was released during September roster cuts and hadn’t yet caught on with another team. With Sheldon Rankins ending his year on injured reserve and Stallworth called up to the active roster, the Saints needed someone to fill out snaps in practice.

Johnson (6-foot-3, 200 pounds) is also a rookie, though the small-school safety spent his summer with the Houston Texans before joining their practice squad after annual roster cuts. He was briefly a member of the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad before they released him as part of other personnel changes. Players signed onto NFL practice squads around this time of the year typically agree to futures contracts with those teams, but it’s unclear whether that’s the case with these two additions for the Saints.

All told, these signings bring the Saints practice squad back up to its 10-man capacity. Dalton and Johnson will join wide receivers Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Emmanuel Butler, running back/wide receiver Taquan Mizzell, offensive linemen Derrick Kelly and John Leglue, linebacker Andrew Dowell, tight end Jerrell Adams, and tight end/defensive lineman Mitchell Loewen.

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Saints sign veteran safety D.J. Swearinger, waive T.J. Green

The New Orleans Saints signed free agent safety D.J. Swearinger and waived backup safety T.J. Green, who could return to the practice squad.

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The New Orleans Saints reinforced their defensive backfield on Wednesday by signing journeyman safety D.J. Swearinger, as first reported by Sean Fazende of FOX 8-New Orleans. The corresponding move to Swearinger’s addition was the waiving of reserve safety T.J. Green., who could return to the Saints practice squad. New Orleans has two vacancies there after promoting Green and second-year defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth before Monday night’s game with the Indianapolis Colts.

Swearinger, 28, has played for both the Arizona Cardinals (starting four games and playing 282 defensive snaps) and Oakland Raiders (averaging 42.5 snaps per game in four appearances) this season. He was released by the Washington Redskins late last year after having collected 8 interceptions, 20 passes defensed, and 4 forced fumbles in two years as a starter. He’s bagged 14 interceptions in his 98-game career over the last eight years, having made previous stops with the Houston Texans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

With injuries to starting strong safety Vonn Bell (knee), rookie backup C.J. Gardner-Johnson (concussion), and the loss of reserve safety Saquan Hampton, this is a position the Saints needed to address. Swearinger will likely have to pick up some special teams duties to stick around, but he offers real NFL experience and some playmaking ability late in the season. Considering New Orleans’ issues in coverage in recent weeks, there’s worse additions to make than the likes of Swearinger and ex-New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins.

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Saints roster moves: Saquan Hampton to injured reserve, Janoris Jenkins signed

The New Orleans Saints made room for CB Janoris Jenkins, claimed off of waivers, by sending rookie S Saquan Hampton to injured reserve.

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Another member of the New Orleans Saints’ 2019 NFL Draft class landed on injured reserve when safety Saquan Hampton ending his rookie season. It’s unclear what sort of injury Hampton is dealing with. His departure opened a spot on the 53-man roster for veteran cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who the Saints picked up on waivers earlier this week.

Hampton was a sixth-round pick out of Rutgers, and had been frequently inactive this year due to New Orleans’ depth at the position. But when backup safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson exited Monday’s game with the Indianapolis Colts with a concussion, Hampton was forced into the lineup — starting safety Vonn Bell was inactive with a knee injury. In total, Hampton only dressed for five games in 2019, logging 34 snaps on defense and 63 appearances on special teams. He’s been credited with one solo tackle for a loss of yards.

This means three of the Saints’ five draft picks have either finished their rookie season on injured reserve or been released. Linebacker Kaden Elliss, a seventh-round draft pick out of Idaho, went down with an ACL back in September. New Orleans’ other late-round pick, tight end Alize Mack, was cut from the practice squad earlier this year. Thankfully, the Saints hit on their first two draft picks (standout center Erik McCoy and Gardner-Johnson) and have built such a deep roster that they can absorb these hits.

As for Jenkins: Saints coach Sean Payton was noncommittal when asked if the veteran would start right away, and he offered a vote of confidence in number-two cornerback Eli Apple during his Wednesday conference call. Apple figures to be Jenkins’ top competition for playing-time given his recent struggles.

One silver lining here may be that two Saints mainstays — Gardner-Johnson and right guard Larry Warford — each left Monday’s game with serious injuries, but neither of them were lost to injured reserve to make room for Jenkins. Instead, the Saints found something to designate Hampton with (he finished the Colts game with no apparent injuries), which could imply neither Gardner-Johnson nor Warford are expected to miss extended time. But we won’t know for certain until the Saints injury report is published later Wednesday.

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