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The New Orleans Saints and teams around the NFL round the corner toward Saturday’s 4:00 PM Eastern roster cut deadline. At which time, the Saints will have cut down their training camp player count from 80 to the require 53-man roster. You can view an immediate breakdown of the 53 here.
There are sure to be surprise cuts in New Orleans with a very talented and deep roster. Keep up with the cuts, signing, practice squad recruitment and any notable moves around the NFL here.
The practice squad can now old 16 players. The count was increased from 10 in response to the added uncertainty of player availability with COVID-19. Those six additional spots have no cap on NFL experience, meaning they can be veteran players. Teams may also elect to protect four players each week and players can be elevated to and from the active roster twice without reaching waivers. That count resets with each new contract.
Players placed on waivers will remain on the waiver wire until September 6th at noon ET. At which point, if not claimed by another team, they become eligible for practice squad consideration.
Roster and practice squad movement will continue all throughout the weekend and likely into next week. So be sure to bookmark and re-visit as updates will be tracked below.
New Orleans Saints Cuts/Waivers:
Saints DL Jalen Dalton waived/injured, reverted to Injured Reserve
Saints S Saquan Hampton waived/injured, reverted to Injured Reserve
Saints LB Kiko Alonso placed on PUP List
Saints DE Anthony Lanier placed on IR
Saints released LB Anthony Chickillo - The former Pittsburgh Steeler simply missed a ton of camp.
Saints released DL Mario Edwards, Jr. - Little bit of a surprise here, but depth along the Saints defensive line is impressive. Plus the Clowney factor hangs about. Saints save a $2.345M on this cut, too.
Saints released DL Margus Hunt - Another defensive lineman out. There’s a prevailing sense that Hunt will be back with further roster changes beyond these initial moves.
Saints released TE Garrett Griffin
Saints released WR Austin Carr
Saints released OL Patrick Omameh
Saints released OL Cameron Tom - likely to return to practice squad.
Saints released WR Bennie Fowler - This one was a shocker for a lot of folks, but add Fowler to the list of standout camp wide receivers to not make the Saints roster. At least for now. There’s a chance he gets a phone call after Week One inviting him back since then his salary wouldn’t be guaranteed.
Saints waived UDFA WR Juwan Johnson
Saints waived UDFA CB Keith Washington - I’m sad. Liked him a lot. Hoping he’ll make it to the practice squad. Which seems likely as the only team to lay an eye on his impressive camp was the Saints.
Saints waived recently sign DE T.J. Carter
Saints waived UDFA OL Jordan Steckler
Saints waived QB/TE Tommy Stevens - a lot of folks expected Stevens to make the Saints roster as to not risk him being scooped up by the Panthers following the famous draft story. I’ll go a step further and predict Carolina won’t claim him because they’d have to put him on their active 53. The Saints will get him on the practice squad, I believe. However, the Panthers currently only have two TEs on their roster. This is going to be a fun one.
Saints waived former CFL LB Wynton McManis
Saints waived LB Joe Bachie, WR Emmanuel Butler, CB Kemon Hall, WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey, RB Tony Jones, Jr., OL Calvin Throckmorton - Some promising talent in this group that absolutely should end up on the practice squad if all clear waivers.
New Orleans Saints Acquisitions:
Saints signed DE T.J. Carter
Saints signed former CFL LB Wynton McManis
Saints signed DE Anthony Lanier
New Orleans Saints Practice Squad:
Full list, per Amie Just of The Advocate | Times-Picayune
OL John Leglue - finalizing deal
OL Calvin Throckmorton
OL Cameron Tom
RB Tony Jones
WR Bennie Fowler
WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
WR Juwan Johnson
TE Garrett Griffin
TE Tommy Stevens
DL Margus Hunt
LB Joe Bachie
LB Anthony Chickillo
LB Andrew Dowell
CB Kemon Hall
DB Keith Washington
*15/16 filled. One spot pending.
Being able to add veterans like Chickillo, Fowler, and Hunt is unique to the 2020 practice squad structure which was expanded by the risks involved with COVID-19. Will be interesting to see if the 16th spot it held for another signing or a player currently on the roster, which opens up a spot on the 53. Possible additions in either case are WR Emmanuel Butler, RB Dwayne Washington, and LB Kiko Alonso.
Will be fun to watch. See detailed practice squad adjustments for this year above.
Notable Moves Around the NFL:
The Washington Football Team has released former Saints legend Adrian Peterson
Arizona Cardinals release WR Hakeem Butler
Washington releases WR Trey Quinn
Denver Broncos release LB Todd Davis
New England Patriots release RB Lamar Miller (no lie: I forgot he was a Patriot)
Denver Broncos release OL Darrin Paulo - Paulo was on the Saints’ camp roster but was waived for the influx of defenders. Could be a practice squad option for them if they need another OL there.
Seattle Seahawks waive DE/LB Shaquem Griffin
Philadelphia Eagles release CB Sidney Jones
Philadelphia Eagles release CB Rasul Douglas - Claimed by the Carolina Panthers
Bear sign former Saints DL Mario Edward Jr. after being released at roster cuts
Any surprises so far? Who are you expecting to make the cut? Explain in the comments. Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel.