The New Orleans Saints on Thursday opted to move on from one of their recent draft picks and an early preseason darling, both of whom landed on season-ending injured reserve prior to roster cuts.
Both RB Devin Neal and DE Michael Heldman have been waived with injury designations and injury settlements. That means that both players will go through waivers. If they are unclaimed, both will be free to sign with other NFL teams.
Brought to you by TRANESOUTH: It's hard to stop a Tranewww.audacy.comInjury settlement mechanics can be convoluted, but it ultimately boils down to the team and player agreeing on a term for which the player is expected to be out with their respective injury. That player would be paid a portion of their guaranteed salary while being able to either sign elsewhere or rehab and land with another team later in the season. The Saints could still re-sign the player, but not before the agreed length of the injury settlement, plus three weeks.
The news reflects a disappointing reality for Neal, a 6th round pick out of Kansas last year, who showed well in his limited run. Over the course of 10 games in 2025 he carried the ball 57 times for 206 yards and two touchdowns, while also catching 17 passes for 104 yards. Unfortunately it was the frequent hamstring issues that will be remembered most from his tenure. The first hamstring injury was suffered during a training camp scrimmage and kept him out until just prior to the start of the season. He suffered another hamstring injury in Week 14, which cost him the final three games of the season for which he would've been in line for lead back carries.
Things didn't improve in Year 2. Hamstring issues kept him out of the team's minicamp and another hamstring issue cost him over a week of training camp and the preseason opener. He returned for Week 2 and participated in a pair of open practices, but he pulled up on a run during that week's game against the Rams and never returned. The injury bug was not something that plagued Neal prior to arriving in New Orleans, with the Kansas native appearing in 49 games over four seasons and setting a host of the team's rushing records.
Neal's injury woes meant an opportunity for depth RB Audric Estime, who flashed during Neal's absence at the end of last season and landed on the 53-man roster this season after a strong camp. Both RBs Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller are both currently dealing with injuries, which could mean another big role for Estime to start the season behind Travis Etienne.
Heldman, meanwhile, was the early star of the preseason with a multi-sack performance in the preseason opener against the Jaguars, but that production faded in the final two games before he went out in the second half against the Cowboys with an apparent foot injury.
The Saints are scheduled to open the season on the road against the Detriot Lions on Sept. 13.
