New Orleans Saints release wide receiver Brandon Coleman

NFL reporter Field Yates of ESPN first reported on Sunday that the New Orleans Saints have elected to part ways with wide receiver Brandon Coleman. The release was due to a failed physical designation, and Coleman had been on the team's Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP) all summer.

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Coleman came to the Saints as an undrafted free agent from Rutgers in 2014. After missing his rookie season with injury, he had been a part of the New Orleans receiving rotation in each of the last three seasons, playing in all 48 regular season games with 14 starts. Coleman was one of the better blocking wideouts in the league, but his receiving numbers had declined with each year, although he led the team in yards per reception a year ago. Coleman has 79 career catches for 1,099 yards and 8 scores, but was never able to use his superior height (6'6) for any distinct advantage against defensive backs. He was re-signed to a 1-yr. deal by the Saints this offseason, but faced an uphill climb to make the team. In addition to superstar wideout Michael Thomas and veteran Ted Ginn Jr., New Orleans added Cameron Meredith in free agency and Tre'quan Smith with a 3rd round draft pick along with the recent signings of veterans Brandon Tate and Michael Floyd.

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Multiple sources also reported on Sunday that the Saints would re-signed veteran tight end John Phillips to bolster depth at the position. The 31-yr. old Phillips has been on and off the Saints roster since being signed as a free agent in mid-2016, when he had five receptions for 32 yards.

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New Orleans also released offensive lineman John Fullington with an injury designation, according to ESPN NFL insider Mike Triplett. Fullington had seen reps with the number one unit at guard, while Andrus Peat recovers from a leg injury, and was in the mix for a reserve spot on the line.