This was expected: the New Orleans Saints activated fullback Adam Prentice from injured reserve for Week 10’s game with the Minnesota Vikings, the team announced Saturday, bringing back their preferred lead blocker.
Prentice suffered a knee injury in Week 5’s win over the New England Patriots and had been on the mend ever since, but he was able to return to practice this week and should play on Sunday.
What does that mean for Khalen Saunders? The charismatic nose tackle has quickly become a fan-favorite in New Orleans for his work on the other side of the ball, lining up in the backfield at fullback and paving the way for his teammates in short-yardage situations. Saunders will likely see his workload go down offensively, but he’s very much an asset, so don’t look for him to disappear altogether.
And the Saints completed a corresponding roster move to bring up Prentice by waiving veteran wide receiver Keith Kirkwood. Kirkwood mainly worked as a run-blocker out in space earlier this season but saw his reps steadily eroded by players like Lynn Bowden Jr. and rookie draft pick A.T. Perry, who is still searching for his first regular season target. There’s a good chance Kirkwood signs with the Saints practice squad should he clear waivers; undrafted rookie Shaquan Davis is still on the injury list with an undisclosed ailment.
