The New Orleans Saints were busy on Labor Day, announcing a flurry of roster moves that included a trio of players landing on injured reserve to start the season.
Two of those moves appear to have added clarity to the team's kicker situation, with Wil Lutz sent to IR as he recovers from core muscle surgery and Aldrick Rosas re-signed to the practice squad.
Rosas' contract was terminated earlier this week, but reports at the time indicated the move was made to open up a roster spot until players could be shifted to injured reserve. His placement on the practice squad is also likely in that vein, unless the Saints opt to sign another kicker heading into Week 1.
Joining Lutz on IR as of Monday were offensive lineman Will Clapp and tight end Nick Vannett, all of whom will be eligible to return after three weeks. Vannett suffered a knee injury in the Saints' second preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but is believed to have avoided a major injury.
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Two other Saints moves reported earlier in the day were announced by the team in the signing of veteran wide receiver Chris Hogan and quarterback Trevor Siemian, both of whom were left off the initial 53-man roster last week.
But some names that weren't reported to IR could be equally important. None of tight end Adam Trautman, wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith and cornerback Ken Crawley, all of whom had been battling injuries, were sent to IR. That doesn't mean they'll be active Week 1, but it is a potential indicator that those injuries aren't expected to linger if they remain on the active roster. Under COVID rules instituted prior to the 2020 season, teams can place an unlimited number of players on IR, all of whom can return after three weeks throughout the year.
The Saints also announced the signing of defensive tackle Montravius Adams, as well as a handful of practice squad players (listed below), while terminating the contract of practice squad linebacker Wynton McManis.
- DB Ka’Dar Hollman
- DB Jordan Miller
- DB Dylan Mabin
- DE Jayln Holmes
- DT Jaleel Johnson
- OL Derrick Kelly II