This is something. The New Orleans Saints waived backup running back Kirk Merritt on Tuesday, per NewOrleans.Football’s Brooke Kirchhofer. Merritt previously played wide receiver for the Saints but switched positions last season on the practice squad to try and earn more reps.
An injury kept Merritt on the sidelines for most of the preseason, but he made the initial 53-man roster anyway — only to line up as a receiver on both of his snaps in Week 1 (once in the slot, once out wide). He was inactive in Week 2 and has now been let go, though it’s likely he’ll return to the practice squad. So what’s the plan here?
Buy Saints TicketsThe Saints are suddenly shorthanded in the backfield between Alvin Kamara’s suspension and Jamaal Williams’ injury, though they could elevate Tony Jones Jr. from the practice squad one more time before they’re forced to add him to the 53-man roster outright. Their only other runners are rookie draft pick Kendre Miller (who has been working his way back from an injury the last three weeks), fullback Adam Prentice, and do-it-all playmaker Taysom Hill, who led the team in rushing yards on Monday night.
With two open roster spots and Kamara returning after Sunday’s road game with the Green Bay Packers, that feels like the most-likely course of action. Rookie change-of-pace back Jordan Mims is also on the practice squad but could be subbed out for Merritt if he clears waivers and is willing to stay in New Orleans a while longer.
