It’s that time. Like every other team across the NFL, the New Orleans Saints must trim their roster from 80 players to just 53 by 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Many of these roster moves will be announced and reported ahead of that league deadline, so we’ll be tracking everything live as it happens in the days ahead. Be sure to check this space often for the latest news, and check our Facebook and Twitter feeds for updates.
RG No. 65 Khalique Washington waived
As announced by his agent Brett Tessler, Washington was let go by the Saints after signing with them earlier this summer as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Mississippi. He competed for a backup spot at both right tackle and right guard, but the Saints chose to go in another direction.
DT No. 57 Josh Black waived
First reported by NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill and confirmed by ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. Another undrafted rookie (Black was signed out of Syracuse) competing for a spot as a backup, Black is a good candidate to return on the practice squad.
CB No. 43 Quenton Meeks waived
First reported by Nola.com’s Luke Johnson. As a player with three years’ experience in the NFL, he’ll be subject to waivers but could re-sign with New Orleans’ practice squad as one of the six veterans (those with more than two accrued seasons).
CB No. 37 Brian Allen waived
First reported by Nola.com’s Luke Johnson. Like Meeks, Allen is a third-year pro who will hit the waiver wire. Should he go unclaimed, he’ll be eligible to sign with the practice squad. While he did snag one of the team’s few interceptions in preseason he also led the defense with 88 yards allowed in coverage.
RB No. 33 Abram Smith waived
First reported by Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson. The undrafted rookie out of Baylor didn’t perform as well as expected, coughing up a fumble in his first preseason game and struggling to read the field well compared to his teammates. Letting him go two days before the roster cuts deadline does give him an opportunity to sign with a different team, but there’s a chance he passes through waivers and returns to New Orleans’ practice squad.
LT No. 62 Derrick Kelly waived
Kelly’s release was announced by the team on Sunday afternoon, and it comes as a bit of a surprise given the lack of depth along the offensive line. Rookie left tackle Trevor Penning is out indefinitely with a turf toe injury that needs surgery. The Saints have also lost backups to injuries including Ethan Greenidge, Jerald Hawkins, Forrest Lamp, and Sage Doxtater throughout training camp. Right now, the only player to take a snap in preseason at left tackle on the roster is James Hurst, who has been limited with his own injury in recent weeks.
