Report: Saints to add veteran Matt Shaughnessy

Per NFL Insider Ian Rapoport, the New Orleans Saints are adding veteran outside linebacker Matt Shaughnessy to their training camp roster.

The news was reported late Monday evening.

Former #AZCardinals & #Raiders OLB Matt Shaughnessy, who was out of football last year, is signing with the #Saints, source said. #comeback
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 2, 2016

Matt Shaughnessy, who turns 30 in September, missed all of the 2015 season with an undisclosed injury. He was originally a 3rd Round (71st overall) pick of the Oakland Raiders in the 2009 NFL draft. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound defender played in all 16 games in 2009 and 2010, and did so for the Arizona Cardinals in 2012 and 2013.

He previously worked out for the Saints in May and also in 2015, which would make a lot of sense why the Saints would be interested in him. Shaughnessy is a good run defender who could pencil himself in as a two-down role player. With the Cardinals 3-4 base defense in 2013, Shaughnessy was the weak side outside linebacker and was also moved to defense end in 2015. You can see just a taste of what he can do from this sack on Seattle’s Russell Wilson.

Shaughnessy’s career totals include 159 tackles, 18.5 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles in 75 games played.

Aug 22, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead (39) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Matt Shaughnessy (91) during the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Injuries have hit the Saints in several days of training camp, as the team made announced another move earlier today that waived undrafted rookie offensive tackle Ryker Mathews with an injury designation. The Saints added veteran Tony Hills, who spent some time on the team’s roster last season, in a corresponding move.

With a defense that has been the laughing stock of the NFL three out of the last four years, this Saints team will take whatever help they can get.