UPDATE, 3:29 p.m.: LB Anthony Barr and RB Kareem Hunt both worked out for the Saints, but left without deals Tuesday, according to reports.
It's not the end of the Saints' pursuit, and both meetings reportedly went well, but the veterans will continue to shop around. Hunt reportedly has a meeting set up with the Indianapolis Colts, who have a need for a veteran with the uncertainty surrounding Jonathan Taylor and the RB market.
ORIGINAL STORY
Get ready for a few new veteran faces in the New Orleans Saints locker room.
The Saints are expected to sign RB Kareem Hunt and LB Anthony Barr after their visits to New Orleans, according to a report from ESPN's Dianna Russini. Both players still had to undergo physicals.
The timing of the signings is notable, as the Saints continue to battle a slew of injuries, including three that are season ending. G Trai Turner was the first to go on season-ending injured reserve with a quad injury, followed by LB Andrew Dowell and most recently RB Eno Benjamin.
The Saints have also been without team leader Demario Davis for multiple practices as he nurses a calf injury. Head coach Dennis Allen said it's not expected to keep him out for an extended period.
Hunt adds elite depth to an already deep RB room, headlined by Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams, with rookie Kendre Miller working his way into the mix. The Saints will have plenty of work to go around for the first three weeks with Alvin Kamara suspended. Beyond that there will be questions as to how three proven NFL veterans get incorporated.
Hunt, 28, spent the past four seasons on the Browns alongside star Nick Chubb. He's been effective when called upon, but he was clearly the second option in the run game. In 2022 Hunt carried the ball 123 times for 468 yards and 3 TDs in 2022, to go with another 210 yards and a TD on 35 catches. Hunt showed signs of potential stardom, leading the NFL in rushing in his rookie season with the Chiefs, rolling up 1,327 yards and 8 TDs, while catching another 53 passes for 455 yards and 3 TDs in his rookie season. His season was interrupted by an elevator incident of his own, but he ultimately latched on with the Browns and has avoid off-field incidents during that tenure.
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Barr, 31, played his first eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before joining the Dallas Cowboys and appearing in 14 games during the 2022 season, starting 10. Barr logged 58 tackles, a sack and 2 TFLs. Barr's stats aren't gaudy, but he's been consistently productive since being picked No. 9 overall out of UCLA in 2014. In his career he's appeared in 112 games while rolling up 553 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 9 fumble recoveries, 8 fumbles forced, 5 interceptions and 32 passes defensed. This addition felt somewhat necessary even without injuries, considering the lack of proven depth in the linebacker room behind Davis and Pete Werner.
Barr will join a group of competitive young players vying for roster spots and playing time, including second-year pro D'Marco Jackson, who missed his entire rookie season with injury, UDFAs Anfernee Orji and Nick Anderson, along with another second-year pro in Nephi Sewell, who spent the 2022 season on the Saints' practice squad.
The head coach indicated that starters would be expected to play in Sunday's preseason opener against the Chiefs, but it will remain to be seen if Hunt or Barr could pick up the system fast enough to be active in that game. The Saints were off on Tuesday, but will return to practice Wednesday at the team facility in Metairie.
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