Tag: tony jones jr

Behind Alvin Kamara, Saints RB room needs to prove itself

The Saints running backs room needs to prove itself behind Alvin Kamara, whether he misses a lot of time to suspension or not — via @RossJacksonNOLA:

While the value of running backs may come into question online each and every year throughout the draft process, their worth is never questioned on the football field. The New Orleans Saints drafted Alvin Kamara in 2017, and their entire offense changed because of him. There are no questions in the Big Easy around what a trusted back brings to a team. 

However, at some point in the 2022 season the Saints may have to be ready for life without their superstar chess piece. Kamara could face a multi-game suspension following an offseason altercation. The case’s hearing has already been moved twice and is currently scheduled for Aug. 1. There is a possibility that the legal process continues to postpone and no discipline is handed down in time for the NFL to disseminate their own during the 2022 season. But the Saints should not plan for a best-case scenario here. 

The running back room behind Alvin Kamara has some familiar faces. Special teams ace Dwayne Washington, last year’s preseason standout Tony Jones Jr. and of course Mark Ingram. Ingram is going into his twelfth NFL season, and was drafted by the Saints in 2011. Reunited with the team in 2021 after an offseason departure a couple years ago. Kamara and Ingram were a dynamic duo in 2017 and 2018, but does the veteran have enough left in the tank to be a lead back in Kamara’s place?

Maybe replacing Kamara’s snap share within the committee isn’t the right approach. Instead, New Orleans could look to replace Kamara with a committee. Another familiar back, Devine Ozigbo is back in the fold. His ability in the passing game could be of use not only in the potential absence of Kamara, but in rotation as well. But it’ll take multiple backs to replace the former Tennessee Volunteer’s production. 

A lot of eyes will be on UDFA rookie running back Abram Smith throughout camp. The former Baylor Bear actually ended up playing linebacker for his first two seasons in Waco because of a shortage at the position. But last year, he finally got the chance to get snaps at running back and he took advantage of the opportunity. 257 carries, 1,601 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns later, he’s a New Orleans Saint. Smith will need to show he can produce in the passing game (13 catches for 75 receiving yards in 2021), pass protection, and special teams. 

The Saints could choose to keep three backs or four depending on the inclusion of a fullback in this year’s offense. It feels like Ingram and Jones have the inside track to the larger offensive role while Washington, Ozigbo, and Smith could make the roster based on what they can contribute across different phases of the game. Have to imagine Smith’s linebacker experience helps him as a special term coverage unit member. 

New Orleans could shake things up as well by bringing in another runner during camp. This offseason they have already taken a look at veterans like David Johnson, Sony Michel, and USFL MVP Darius Victor. Michel has signed with the Miami Dolphins since his visit but the other two backs are still available. The Saints would also look to roster cuts throughout the preseason to pounce on new options that may become available. 

Lots of question marks around this position group for the Saints. Starting first and foremost with the developing legal situation around Kamara. One that will hopefully be resolved in time for the team to address the position group as needed.

[lawrence-newsletter]

8 Saints whose roster spots are in jeopardy in 2022

8 Saints whose roster spots are in jeopardy in 2022, via @DillySanders, @MaddyHudak_94, @RossJacksonNOLA, and @john_siglerr:

The New Orleans Saints have built a strong roster ahead of the 2022 season, but competition to make the team might end up leaving some familiar names on the outside looking in — with roster cuts on the still-distant horizon, even veteran players have some things to prove once the Saints gather for training camp. Everyone knows that the NFL stands for “Not For Long,” and that these opportunities aren’t guaranteed. Here are eight players we’ll be watching closely over the summer:

Alvin Kamara, Tony Jones Jr. officially inactive for Saints vs. Cowboys

Alvin Kamara, Tony Jones Jr. officially inactive for Saints vs. Cowboys

The New Orleans Saints announced their list of inactive players ahead of Thursday night’s kickoff with the Dallas Cowboys, and it’s mostly what we expected; all of the previously-injured players said to be unavailable are sitting this one out, as is rookie quarterback Ian Book. But so too is running back Tony Jones Jr. who has been ineffective in his return from injured reserve. Look for a heavy workload for running backs Mark Ingram and Ty Montgomery with Jones and Alvin Kamara out of action.

Here’s the full list of inactive players from each team:

Report: Saints ‘do not expect’ Mark Ingram to suit up vs. Bills

Report: Saints ‘do not expect’ Mark Ingram to suit up vs. Bills

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”qHHfrTV93g-1640989-7498″]

Last one out, turn off the lights. The New Orleans Saints were already shorthanded for their game with the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving, and now it sounds like they won’t have Mark Ingram. FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reported Thursday that the Saints “do not expect” Ingram to dress out for the prime-time matchup, having been limited in practice with a knee injury.

New Orleans ruled out star running back Alvin Kamara with his own knee injury, and while Ingram was initially ruled questionable to play it now sounds like he won’t play at all. That would put backups Tony Jones Jr. and Ty Montgomery into a big spot against a vulnerable-looking Bills defense. Practice squad running back Josh Adams could also be called up to play.

Hopefully they’ll be enough to get it done. The Saints are stuck in a three-game losing skid and badly need a win to hang with other NFC playoff contenders eager to take their place. A fourth loss here would be the team’s first four-game losing streak since the 2015 season.

Watch Thursday Night Football on Amazon with a Prime Membership. Viewers can watch this week’s game with an Amazon Fire TV Product. Get yours now!

Saints waive Kevin White and Ken Crawley in a flurry of last-minute roster moves

Saints waive Kevin White and Ken Crawley in a flurry of last-minute roster moves

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”qfrRahX0Su-1632138-7498″]

The New Orleans Saints shuffled their depth chart in a series of last-minute roster moves before Week 11’s game with the Philadelphia Eagles. Here’s what you need to know:

Eagles RB Miles Sanders, Saints RB Tony Jones Jr. activated from injured reserve

Both the Saints and the Eagles will have reinforcements at running back in Week 11 after activating Tony Jones Jr. and Miles Sanders:

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”qfrRahX0Su-1632138-7498″]

Reinforcements are on the way at running back for both the New Orleans Saints and the opposing Philadelphia Eagles. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday that the Saints are activating Tony Jones Jr. from injured reserve; he’s been inactive since Week 4’s game with the New York Giants, which he left early with an ankle injury.

And Schefter adds the Eagles are making the same move for Miles Sanders, who missed the last three games with his own ankle injury. Sanders had a huge game against the Saints in last season’s meeting, running for 115 yards and scoring a pair of touchdown carries on just 14 attempts — including an 82-yard sprint before halftime to extend their lead. The Saints have their work cut out for them in defending him.

But as for Jones: he’ll figure to back up Mark Ingram II, starting in relief of Alvin Kamara, while Dwayne Washington focuses on covering kicks and punts on special teams. The Saints are down Kamara (with a knee injury) as well as versatile receiver/running back Ty Montgomery (with a badly broken finger) this week, so Jones is coming back at the perfect time. Let’s hope he makes a good impacts.

[listicle id=59447]

Saints RB’s Alvin Kamara, Tony Jones Jr. return to practice on Wednesday

The Saints welcomed running backs Alvin Kamara (knee) and Tony Jones Jr. (ankle) back to practice but were without Ty Montgomery (finger):

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”f16sNljUVE-1626128-7498″]

There’s some good news: running backs Alvin Kamara and Tony Jones Jr. were participants in Wednesday’s New Orleans Saints practice session, as first reported by the Athletic’s Katherine Terrell.

Kamara missed last week’s loss to the Tennessee Titans with a knee issue, while Jones has been unavailable on injured reserve since early October with his own ankle injury. Terrell added that wide receiver/running back hybrid Ty Montgomery was absent after Sunday’s gruesome finger injury.

The Saints haven’t publicly announced that Jones is designated to return from injured reserve but that’s a procedural move we should hear about on the upcoming update to the daily NFL transactions wire. Kamara remained on the 53-man roster and will not require any such designation, but stay tuned for official news on Wednesday’s initial injury report.

It would be great to get both players back in the lineup, particularly Kamara. He’s the best player on the team and fulfills a huge role in their playbook. Mark Ingram is a great No. 2 running back but there’s no replacing Kamara in the backfield. It’s worth noting that the Saints released veteran Lamar Miller from their practice squad on Tuesday which could bode well for Kamara and Jones returning to action soon.

[listicle id=59357]

Report: Saints explored trade for Colts RB Marlon Mack

The New Orleans Saints made ‘preliminary inquiries’ into a trade for Indianapolis Colts RB Marlon Mack, per USA TODAY’s Josina Anderson:

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”LysEWIh5ze-1566462-7498″]

It’s no secret that the New Orleans Saints have wanted to improve their depth at running back. They’ve brought in three different players after losing promising second-year pro Tony Jones Jr. to an injury, adding Devine Ozigbo to the 53-man roster behind Alvin Kamara and Dwayne Washington while signing free agents Ryquell Armstead and Lamar Miller to the practice squad.

But they might have swung a trade for another player, if the price was right. USA TODAY’s Josina Anderson reported Thursday that the Saints were among a group of teams that made “preliminary inquiries” in a trade for Indianapolis Colts backup Marlon Mack. Playing behind the uber-talented Jonathan Taylor and capable change-of-pace backs Nyhiem Hines and Taylor Wilkins (while recovering from a 2020 Achilles injury), Mack tumbled quite a bit down Indianapolis’ depth chart.

Now 25 and playing out the final year of his contract (which carries a miniscule salary cap charge for any team that acquires him), Mack has totaled 564 carries for 2,480 rushing yards and 20 touchdown runs in the NFL. He’s also caught 57 of 84 career targets for another 448 receiving yards, catching a pair of touchdown passes. He’s been effective when healthy and given opportunities.

It’s easy to see why the Saints and Colts couldn’t reach an agreement, though. With so many other competitors in the mix they weren’t able to add Mack on the cheap (like, say, in exchange for a seventh round pick in 2022). It’s unlikely they’ll end up cutting a deal now after bringing in so many other running backs, but you never know. The expect return of many players from injuries and suspension these next few weeks will create salary cap flexibility for the Saints ahead of the NFL’s Nov. 2 trade deadline.

[listicle id=53339]

Ryquell Armstead signed to Saints practice squad, Tony Jones Jr. to I.R.

Ryquell Armstead signed to Saints practice squad, Tony Jones Jr. to I.R.

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”daWpYEKrsW-1545273-7498″]

Wednesday’s update to the daily NFL transactions wire confirmed some movement at the running back position, with promising second-year pro Tony Jones Jr. going to injured reserve to open a roster spot for his fill-in Devine Ozigbo, who the New Orleans Saints are signing from the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad. Jones will be first eligible to return after Week 7’s game with the Seattle Seahawks but he could miss more time. The Saints have taken an

But there’s another ex-Jaguars running back joining the team too: Ryquell Armstead, a fifth round pick by Jacksonville who has signed with the team’s practice squad. Armstead was part of a group tryout alongside other free agents Ito Smith, Brian Hill, Duke Johnson, and Lamar Miller, so he must have looked the best of the bunch (or been most agreeable to a spot on the practice squad rather than the 53-man roster).

Now 24 years old, Armstead had a bit part in the Jaguars backfield with 35 carries and 14 receptions for a combined 252 scrimmage yards (108 rushing, 144 receiving) in his brief NFL career. For the curious analytics enthusiasts, he posted a respectable 7.74 Relative Athletic Score coming out of Temple, which lines up with the Saints’ own in-house preferences. Still, he’s probably only here as another layer of depth behind Alvin Kamara, Dwayne Washington, and Ozigbo on the active roster.

[listicle id=51389]

NFL Week 5: Initial New Orleans Saints injury report vs. Washington

The New Orleans Saints are still resting starting offensive linemen Erik McCoy and Terron Armstead on their first injury report of Week 5:

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”1iLZIR3iaq-1544180-7498″]

The New Orleans Saints are still resting starting offensive linemen Erik McCoy and Terron Armstead on their first injury report of Week 5, while the Washington Football Team is managing a number of injuries — not listed is starting tight end Logan Thomas, who was placed on injured reserve. Neither is Saints running back Tony Jones Jr., who is expected to miss 3 to 4 weeks with an ankle injury, suggesting he’ll go on New Orleans’ I.R. list.

The full injury repot for Wednesday, Oct. 6: