Saints Release Veteran Wide Receiver Brandon Marshall

Per Field Yates, the New Orleans Saints have released veteran wideout Brandon Marshall

The move comes as Pro Football Talk reports that the Saints have claimed tight end Erik Swoope off waivers.

The move could signify that wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. who is eligible to come off IR after knee surgery, is on his way back to the team. Ginn’s return would boost the Saints’ passing game as New Orleans has lacked the positive impact of a deep-threat that could take the top off of defenses.

On a somewhat less positive note, it could also simply mean that the Saints’ coaching staff does not see Marshall as a marked improvement from the young wide receivers on the team. Should that be the case, New Orleans will have to rely on Tre’Quan Smith, Keith Kirkwood, Tommylee Lewis and Austin Carr to complement pro-bowl wide receiver Michael Thomas.

The rest of the season for the Saints’ receiving corps promises to be interesting: while Thomas has been playing at an elite level so far this season, nearly all of the other receivers have had performances marred by inconsistency.

The Saints (11-2) play at Carolina on Monday Night Football, as they try to maintain their position atop the NFC over the Los Angeles Rams (11-2) who welcome the Philadelphia Eagles (6-7) on Sunday.