The Jacksonville Jaguars have reportedly traded for New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Khalen Saunders, sending center Luke Fortner as compensation.
The news was first reported by NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.
Both Saunders and Fortner were active for Sunday’s preseason matchup, with Saunders earning the start for New Orleans, who opted to rest the majority of their starters on defense.
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Fortner was originally drafted by the Jaguars in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He started 34 games for the club before taking a backseat in 2024 to veteran Mitch Morse. The Jaguars addressed the position again this offseason, signing veteran Robert Hainsey, who is expected to start.
The team also drafted OL Jonah Monheim in the seventh round this year. Monheim has impressed at center and likely helped make Fortner more expendable.
Jaguars trade for Saints DL Khalen Saunders should help depth
Oct 7, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (50) reacts during the second half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Saunders, 29, was originally drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Saunders spent four seasons with Kansas City, earning five starts, playing in 38 games. Saunders totaled 81 tackles, 4.5 sacks and three tackles for loss before signing with the Saints.
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Saunders signed a three-year, $12.3 million contract with the Saints. The deal included $6.6 million in guaranteed money. He is set to make $1.3 million in base salary this year, the final year of his contract.
Since joining the Saints, Saunders has started 27 games, playing in 30. He’s totaled 100 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks and one interception.
The Jaguars have had injuries at defensive tackle, with defensive linemen Maason Smith and Arik Armstead still working back from injuries. The team recently signed DL Austin Johnson to address depth at the position.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars trade for Saints DL Khalen Saunders, per report