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Per the NFL Transaction Report for Saturday, the New Orleans Saints have placed veteran linebacker James Laurinaitis on injured reserve. Laurinaitis has been dealing with a quad injury, and missed his first game in his 7-year career when the team played the San Diego Chargers in Week 4.
Laurinaitis finished with 213 snaps on defense for Dennis Allen in the team’s three games, and had some special teams appearances against Kansas City and Seattle. His role had diminished quickly for Dennis Allen’s defense, as the team moved Craig Robertson to the team’s starting middle linebacker.
Laurinaitis originally signed a 3-year, $8.25 million deal with the Saints on March 17, so assuming the team wants him back in 2017 he’ll be there for them.
Unfortunately, Laurinaitis goes down as another casualty for the Saints defense this season. The team promoted Chris McCain from the practice squad to compensate for the loss of Laurinaitis in four moves the team made on Saturday.