A local standout story came to an early end with linebacker Nick Anderson among the team's early cuts, per reports.
The small but feisty linebacker is one of many players on the current roster tied to Louisiana, having helped lead the Tulane Green Wave to a Cotton Bowl victory earlier this year. Anderson's former teammate Tyjae Spears is scheduled to face the Saints in Week 1 as a member of the Titans.
Anderson never seemed able to crack the top-end rotation throughout training camp and he logged limited snaps in each of the preseason games. His best game came in a preseason finale loss to the Texans when he logged 4 tackles and pass defensed. Anderson and a handful of other players, including DT Prince Emili and FB Jake Bargas, were reported as cut on Monday evening.
The Saints and the rest of the NFL have to cut down the 53 players as of 3 p.m. central time on Tuesday. That means many other names will be joining the list beside Anderson's in the near future.
As the team cuts down they'll also have to factor in players who are injured if the team wants to keep them around. Players who went on injured reserve in the preseason are not eligible to return at any point. However, players who go on IR in the regular season could come back after four weeks. There are several fringe players on the current roster who are dealing with injuries, such as WR Tre'Quan Smith, LB Ryan Connelly and OT Landon Young. The team could opt to retain those players on the initial roster, with the expectation that their roster spot will be open to re-sign a player who cut down the road.
The Saints will also have a 16-man roster to fill. Anderson and any other player with fewer than 4 years in the NFL will have to clear waivers before they can sign with a team. Veterans are free to sign wherever they choose.
