La’el Collins teased an NFL comeback with the New Orleans Saints and his former coach and teammate Kellen Moore, but that interest didn’t result in a signing. It didn’t even get him in a tryout. Per ESPN’s Todd Archer, Collins returned to the Dallas Cowboys after a successful workout on Friday and now he gets an opportunity to protect Dak Prescott.
It isn’t too surprising that the Saints didn’t give him a serious look. It’s been almost 1,000 days since Collins last suited up for a regular season game. They re-signed Shane Lemieux after he started four games at center last year, so he’s someone they know well, even if he’s only coming in as depth for training camp. Lemieux graded out as one of the worst blockers on the team last season, so you’d hope he’s coming in just for depth.
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And that might be the case after Nick Saldiveri was sidelined by a leg injury. He had been working as the second-team right guard behind Cesar Ruiz, with rookie free agent Torricelli Simpkins III often practicing behind him on the third-string offense. Lemieux could slot in there. So could Collins. But the Saints have made their choice, and we’ll see how it plays out when the preseason begins next week.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Cowboys free agents: La’el Collins signs with Dallas after Saints buzz