Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore hasn't heard news of any potential NFL discipline regarding an offseason arrest, but that won't affect his preparation.
The 5th-year cornerback out of Ohio State has been active in each of the Saints' four training camp practices as the team readies for a 2021 season with many new faces.
“You’ve got to be ready regardless. It don’t really change much," Lattimore said. "Don’t change my mindset or nothing like that. I’m not going to be off my game or nothing. If it comes it comes; it is what is. Of course, I don’t want to get suspended. But it is what it is. It’s out of my hands."
A potential suspension would mean added pressure placed upon a cornerback group that's already trying to replace veteran Janoris Jenkins, who left in free agency as the team shed $100 million to get under the cap. Head coach Sean Payton described adding another outside cornerback as a "must" before camp and after adding Brian Poole in free agency and drafting Paulson Adebo's in the third round of this year's draft.
Ken Crawley has been seeing time with the 1s in practice, with veteran Patrick Robinson also worked into the action. But a pair of new, veteran faces joined the group Monday after a workout and deal signed over the weekend. Former Giants and Bears cornerback Prince Amukara was wearing No. 6 in Monday's practice, while former Bengals and Packers cornerback KeiVarae Russell wore No. 35.
Payton announced both signings after practice -- along with guard RJ Sweezy. He also said undrafted free agents DT Lorenzo Neal and CB Lawrence Woods. TE Dylan Soehner was put on reserve.
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“The handful of these signings I just mentioned have played at a high level. It’s an area where we were one spot too short on our numbers. [Amukamara] had a good workout," Payton said. "We definitely felt like we needed to add a corner to our group, and we’ll see how he does. He’s long, he’s what we’re looking for as far as his size, and he’s got a good, tough makeup.”
Amukamara didn't play a snap in 2020 as a member of the Arizona Cardinals practice squad, but was a productive outside corner with the New York Giants and Chicago Bears, previously. For his 10-year career Amukamara has rolled up 476 tackles, forced six fumbles, 10 interceptions and 80 passes defensed.
It remains to be seen if he could be the option to start on the outside this coming season, across from Lattimore or someone else if a suspension lands.
"Everybody knows what's going on," Lattimore said Monday. "I just know I've gotta step up, you know, more, as far as being a leader all the way around."