The New Orleans Saints announced five roster moves before their Week 14 matchup with the Carolina Panthers, losing two key defenders to injured reserve while parting ways with a veteran on the practice squad — and signing a couple of young defensive players to reinforce the 53-man roster. Here’s what you need to know about each move:
DT PJ Mustipher signed to the 53-man roster
The Saints poached a former Bronco for a change. Mustipher, 25, signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted rookie free agent in the spring and stuck around on their practice squad after roster cuts in September. He fits the size prototype the Saints look for at 6-foor-4 and 318 pounds. Before going to the NFL, he played college football at Penn State.
LB Monty Rice signed to the 53-man roster
This is a bit of a surprise — Rice was a third-round draft pick by the Tennessee Titans in 2021, having appeared in 35 games (10 starts) while playing a lot of snaps on special teams. He was recently let go after playing all 12 games and posting nine tackles in the kicking game, a career-high. The 24-year-old is listed at 6-foot-0 and 233 pounds.
FS Marcus Maye designated to injured reserve
Maye will have to sit out the next four games on injured reserve, meaning he’ll be eligible to return for Week 18’s regular season finale with the Atlanta Falcons. The veteran safety is dealing with a shoulder injury. A suspension prior to that injury limited him to just seven games this season; other injuries held to him only ten games last year.
DT Malcolm Roach designated to injured reserve
Roach will also be sidelined until the regular season finale, unless his knee surgery is going to end his season. That remains to be confirmed. He was enjoying his best year as a pro and is headed for free agency in the spring, so this might have been the last Saints fans see of him in black and gold.
FS Daniel Sorensen released from the practice squad
Sorensen didn’t find a new team in free agency during the offseason so he returned to the Saints practice squad in late September. He only appeared in two games, primarily playing special teams, but the decision to let him go when Maye is going on ice for at least the next four games is a little confusing. The Saints must like their other options in-house better.
