Saints promote Lil’Jordan Humphrey with receiver injuries mounting
The New Orleans Saints have promoted Lil’Jordan Humphrey from the team’s practice squad as their injuries to capable wide receivers mount.
This is not good. Repeat: this is not good. No, it’s great for Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and he’s deserving of the promotion, but it’s not good for the New Orleans Saints, who are already having to reach into their practice squad for talent.
Humphrey was one of a few undrafted free agents that awed New Orleans in the preseason. After a solid, not terrific preseason, Humphrey was added to the team’s practice squad along with fellow undrafted wideout Emmanuel Butler, who has also razzle and dazzled New Orleans.
That said, ESPN’s Fields Yates first broke the news of Humphrey’s promotion and cited the reason was because of Smith’s lingering injury and the addition of Keith Kirkwood to the team’s injured reserve, meaning he’ll be out at least the next six weeks.
With Tre'Quan Smith dealing with an injury and Keith Kirkwood placed on IR yesterday, the Saints have promoted WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey from the practice squad.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 18, 2019
Smith, who has been an active participant in the team’s first few games, took no reps in practice Wednesday. While he’s still expected to give it a go Sunday, it’d surprise no one if he saw a limited snap count.
That’s why the addition of Humphrey was necessary. The Saints must believe in Humphrey, the 6-foot-5 receiver from the University of Texas. After all, there were numerous other options that they could’ve targeted.
Here’s a little bit of what he showed during the team’s preseason outings.
It’s been a few weeks since we last heard from Lil’Jordan Humphrey.
— Jeff Nowak (@Jeff_Nowak) September 18, 2019
Called up by Saints to the active roster today ... a look back at the play that I thought at the time might keep him from clearing waivers on its own.
pic.twitter.com/Vf0AuPfgiw
During the preseason, Humphrey secured all four targets, totaling over 100 yards and a touchdown. The 22-year-old, 225-pound receiver should be a mismatch nightmare, one reason he was so effective during the team’s preseason.
After being inactive last week, we don’t know whether or not Austin Carr is set to play. With Smith’s lingering injury, Kirkwood out, and Carr possibly out as well, this could be Humphrey’s shot to not only stay on the team’s 53-man roster but also make an impact.
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A banged-up Saints will travel to Seattle in what should be a telling Week 3 matchup with the 2-0 Seahawks.