NEW ORLEANS — The Saints 53-man roster is set for the 2023 NFL season.
The season kicks off next week. Every team's roster had to be at 53 players by 3 p.m. CT. on Tuesday.
The Saints terminated eight players contracts:
- Ryan Connelly LB
- J.P. Holtz TE
- Jesse James TE
- Storm Norton T
- Bradley Roby CB
- Jaylon Smith LB
- Ty Summers LB
- Darrel Williams RB
Here is who the Saints waived:
- Johnathan Abram S
- Nick Anderson LB
- Kawaan Baker WR
- Jake Bargas FB
- Lynn Bowden Jr. WR
- Jerron Cage DL
- Shaq Davis WR
- Prince Emili DT
- Mark Evans II OL
- Chuck Filiaga G
- Adrian Frye DB
- Blake Gillikin P
- Jack Heflin DT
- Anthony Johnson DB
- Lewis Kidd OL
- Jontrae Kirklin WR
- Tommy Kraemer G
- Lucas Krull TE
- Niko Lalos DE
- Ellis Merriweather RB
- Smoke Monday S
- Anfernee Orji LB
- Kyle Phillips DE
- Alex Pihlstrom OL
- Troy Pride DB
- Calvin Throckmorton OL
The Saints have also cleared a roster spot by trading former Pro Bowl kicker Wil Lutz to the Denver Broncos, according to NFL Insider Ian Rapoport. Our partners at 9News reported that the Saints will receive a 2024 seventh-round pick for Lutz.
The trade marks a reunion between Lutz and former Saints head coach Sean Payton, who is in his first year at the helm in Denver.
It also signifies the faith Payton's successor, Dennis Allen, has in undrafted rookie kicker Blake Grupe. The diminutive 5-foot-7, 156-pounder from Notre Dame went two-of-three, including 38- and 50-yarders, in the Saints' preseason finale against the Texans.
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