Saints add another receiver to the roster as they start training camp

New Orleans Saints veterans reported for training camp on Tuesday, July 23, and the team’s first practice will be on Wednesday. Among those veterans is a player New Orleans just signed to the roster. On Monday, the Saints signed wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. to a one-year deal with New Orleans.

Austin, who went undrafted in 2022, initially signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He didn’t make the regular-season roster but was a member of the practice squad. He returned to Jacksonville for 2023, but was cut after the preseason.

Saints sign wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr.

Austin most recently played in the UFL with the back-to-back-to-back champion Birmingham Stallions. With the Stallions, Austin only recorded 15 catches for 253 yards and two touchdowns. However, he displayed some tools that intrigued New Orleans. The tool he best displayed was speed.

The highlights of Austin’s time in the UFL were two long touchdowns. One came on a five-yard in route where he caught the ball and the sprinted 40 yards pass everyone with an angle to track him. His dash to the end zone certainly put him on NFL teams’ radar.

The other score was an 79-yard touchdown. This time, the journey to the end zone was much more simple; Austin just ran straight past the corner and caught a deep ball for a six points.

Back at the 2022 scouting combine, Austin ran a 4.43 40-yard dash. He also recorded a 39" vertical jump and a 11’0" broad jump. In other words, he’s always been fast and athletic, and he was able to put those things together on the football field this spring.

Now, in the summer, Austin will take part in the Saints training camp. He’ll have to compete with guys like A.T. Perry, Cedrick Wilson, and rookie receiver Bub Means. Those three, along with other receivers on the roster, will battle to find their spot alongside Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.

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