Some of the dust is beginning to settle after a busy week of roster moves for the New Orleans Saints and every other NFL team, but the work isn’t finished just yet. The Saints announced their initial practice squad on Wednesday but there are some big differences between their list and what’s been reported to be in the works.
Let’s start with what’s official. Here are the 16 players currently signed to the practice squad as of Wednesday’s update to the daily NFL transactions wire:
- S Johnathan Abram (vested veteran)
- S Ugo Amadi (vested veteran)
- LB Khaleke Hudson (vested veteran)
- G/C Shane Lemieux (vested veteran)
- WR Equanimeous St. Brown (vested veteran)
- DT Kendal Vickers
- DE Niko Lalos
- TE Michael Jacobson
- WR Kevin Austin Jr.
- S Millard Bradford
- OT Josiah Ezirim
- TE Mason Fairchild
- OG Kyle Hergel
- RB Jacob Kibodi
- LB Isaiah Stalbird
- K Charlie Smyth (International Pathway Program)
Now, what’s different? Let’s focus on who’s missing. Cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles was expected to sign with the Saints practice squad, but he hasn’t yet, and it might be because of how the squad is built. NFL rules cap teams at six vested veterans (players with four or more years’ experience) and ten younger pros who have three or fewer accrued seasons. Jean-Charles falls in the latter group which is at capacity. There’s a roster exemption for Charlie Smyth so he doesn’t factor into that.
Of course it’s possible the Saints’ agreement with Jean-Charles fell through and he found a better offer somewhere else. But this would be the easiest explanation. Players are moving around often this time of the year as teams work to assemble their 53-man rosters and practice squads, so this may only be a procedural issue. We’ll find out soon.
What else is different from what we expected? Tight end Treyton Welsh is nowhere to be seen after it was reported by multiple outlets that the Saints were signing him to the practice squad. But Mason Fairchild was brought back which was not previously reported. Again, maybe Welsh’s deal collapsed, but it’s also possible that the team needs another day or two to get everyone to sign on the dotted line. At the same time, they now have five tight ends between the roster and practice squad. How many do they need?
One other difference? Defensive tackle Kendal Vickers was bumped down to the practice squad after initially making the cut for the 53-man roster. This was a corresponding move to claim running back Kene Nwangwu off of waivers from the Minnesota Vikings. The Saints have also arranged a trade with the Washington Commanders to add John Ridgeway III, another defensive tackle, so another corresponding move is coming (which means more changes for the 53-man roster and practice squad).
Got all that? It’s a busy week for everyone, and it isn’t over yet. Keep an eye out for more updates.
