METAIRIE, La. ― DeShawn Wynn sat in his locker Sunday lacing up his boots, a smile continuing to find a way on the fourth-year running back’s face.
When the Saints and Vikings play Thursday night at 7:30 in the NFL’s curtain raiser, Wynn will have found a way back on a professional roster.
This he’s comfortable with.
“I’m very comfortable,” said Wynn, who had been with the Green Bay Packers the previous three seasons. “It’s not like I’m a rookie or anything. I’ve played in this league before as a starting tailback my rookie year and a third-down back in Green bay for the past three seasons.”
Wynn is the Saints' No. 3 back right now behind Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. Undrafted rookie free agent Chris Ivory was set to be the third back, but sustained a left MCL injury against the Titans in the final preseason game and hasn't practiced the past two days.
Wynn (5-foot-10, 232 pounds) had statistically his best season as a rookie, playing in seven games in which he carried the ball 50 times for 203 yards and scored four touchdowns. Additionally, he caught nine passes for 73 yards.
But he injured his shoulder that season and never fully got back in the lineup as a full-time contributor.
The Saints signed him on Aug. 23 after both Lynell Hamilton and P.J. Hill went down with season-ending injuries. Twelve days later, he was back on a 53-man roster.
“It’s just a great opportunity after sitting at home for so long being a free agent and just wondering if I was going to play in the league again or if I had to go to the UFL or not,” Wynn said. “I got a call to come in here and I was just trying to make the most of my opportunity.”
What aided Wynn in getting the coveted fourth running back spot was his ability to play special teams. The Saints cut Ladell Betts partially because he didn’t do much on special teams; Wynn has a spot on all four as either a first-teamer or a backup.
“Coming in so late, I really wasn’t expected to do much without learning the playbook and all that,” Wynn said. “With a little bit of luck and some injuries, I got an opportunity to be on this team and I’m just grateful and just ready to go.”
