Injuries have piled up early on in training camp so the New Orleans Saints had no choice but to sign some replacements, even if they’re only temporary replacements.
The New Orleans Saints have been in backup linebacker purgatory over the past week and they recently added former Saint Chase Hansen to the roster. The team tried bringing back former Saint Kiko Alonso over the weekend but after one day of practice, he decided to retire.
It was important for the Saints to find some help at linebacker with rookie D’Marco Jackson banged up in training camp. The fifth-round pick out of Appalachian State hasn’t practiced at all lately, according to John Hendrix, and that’s why bringing back Hansen was a move that needed to be made.
Yes, not lately though https://t.co/2MWPoqFFcS
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) August 8, 2022
Hansen went undrafted out of Utah but found his way onto the Saints roster in 2020 where he played two games as a rookie. Hansen stuck with the team again the next year and appeared in three games. He’s predominantly been a special teams player during his Saints tenure and while that will be his role this year if he makes the team, it’s nice to have a familiar face serving as a depth.
The Saints signed LB Chase Hansen, per source. Hansen was with the team before. Team is looking for depth at MLB
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) August 8, 2022
Another defensive player joining the Saints, for the time being, is USFL defensive end, T.J. Carter, who played with the Michigan Panthers in the USFL’s first revived season. As noted in the tweet below, Carter had 24 tackles and 2.5 sacks during the 2022 season with Michigan.
T.J. Carter had 24 tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Panthers this season. https://t.co/4Nzfsde5Dv
— Who Dat Dish (@whodatdish) August 8, 2022
New Orleans Saints add depth on defense
Carter’s addition to the team is likely because backup defensive end Jaleel Johnson hasn’t practiced recently. He might not end up being a big factor this summer but any time a player is signed by a team, there’s an opportunity there to make the final roster. That’s what Carter is going to try to do.
Hansen and Carter will now try to do what they can in a short period of time to make a positive impression and earn a spot either on the roster or on the practice squad.
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For now, these two players provide depth to a battered defense.