After a retirement and one season-ending injury, the Saints have signed another former Jets defensive end to get back to the 90-man limit.
New Orleans announced the signing of DE Kyle Phillips just a few days after another former Jets DE Jabari Zuniga opted to retire. Phillips was on-hand at practice Monday in the same No. 91 jersey Zuniga had worn, working off to the side with trainers.
The roster spot was opened up by the Saints sending guard Trai Turner to injured reserve after he suffered a season-ending quad injury that is said to involve a ruptured tendon. Players who land on IR in the preseason are not eligible to return. The Saints also signed Koda Martin, who was with the Saints earlier this offseason, for depth at guard.
Phillips was an undrafted free agent out of Tennessee in the 2020 season and appeared in 29 games with 8 starts over his three seasons in New York. He's logged 65 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one pass defensed. He'll provide depth along a defensive line group headlined by Cam Jordan, with Payton Turner, Isaiah Foskey and Carl Granderson competing for reps across from him.
The Saints are back in action on Tuesday for another fully-padded practice.
