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Saints rookie linebacker Davis Tull sees first dose of action at training camp

By Andrew Schuster

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New Orleans Saints rookie linebacker Davis Tull has been missing in action for the most part since joining the organization via the 2015 NFL Draft.

The team selected Tull with its 148th overall pick, one of two fifth-rounders for the Saints.  However, the promising pass rusher has been patiently working off to the side with some of the league’s finest trainers throughout summer workouts and training camp, recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.

Before training camp kicked off, the Saints placed Davis Tull on the non-football injury list to give the Tennessee-Chattanooga standout time to recuperate.  He was finally activated Monday, throwing on the pads and returning to action Tuesday.

With Junior Galette out of the picture, question marks will indeed continue to surround the New Orleans Saints’ pass-rushing attack.  Galette was the club’s best man when it came to getting after opposing quarterbacks, so it’s time for some of the young guys to step on up and put in work.

Davis Tull has a bit of catching up to do after missing out on minicamp and the first half of training camp.  With a recovering shoulder that deprived him from time on the practice field compared to the rest of his competitors at outside linebacker, he’ll face much adversity, and may be kicking and scratching just to earn a spot on the team.

Head coach Sean Payton spoke with media Tuesday morning, and while he didn’t really give Tull’s status for Saturday’s preseason game versus the New England Patriots back home in New Orleans, he said the rookie isn’t too far behind.  Tull also spoke, explaining that his shoulder felt good and that he was ready to get back to work and play wherever the coaches need him.

As far as intelligence and physical presence, Davis Tull could potentially be one of the more talented players in that unit.  Hard work pays off for sure, and Tull displayed that well as a four-year starter and three-time Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He excelled at both the run and pass rush as a senior, displaying outstanding strength, great hand usage, excellent pursuit, speed and explosiveness off the snap.  I see him as a great value pick for the Saints who could have easily gone to another team on day two of the draft.

However, that’s his college resume that’s doing the talking.  He’ll have to quickly prove his worth at the next level in order for Sean Payton to decide whether or not he’s capable of a job on a 53-man roster that is just weeks away from being finalized.  But at a position that is scarce with proven talent, Tull should see himself stepping onto the field for the Black and Gold come September if he can keep that shoulder healthy.  He wasn’t drafted to get cut, although, things do happen.

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