Life on the edge of an NFL roster isn’t easy. Just this week, the New Orleans Saints cut two players, only to bring them back a couple of days later. Wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. and offensive lineman Barry Wesley were both waived from the 53-man roster on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they processed on waivers, and went unclaimed. They each re-signed with the practice squad before practice on Thursday.
So while this may have ended up only being a pair of procedural moves, it could always end up being more dramatic. We’ve seen the Saints waive guys with hopes of keeping them on the practice squad only for another team to swoop in and claim them — upending their lives and sending them across the country with only hours’ notice. It worked out this time. But guys in their position sometimes have to take this job one day at a time.
The Saints are back to maximum capacity on their 53-man roster and 17-man practice squad, having shuffled guys around to get everyone where they wanted them. That includes keeping their place kicker Charlie Smyth on the practice squad, at least for now.