With Jairus Byrd apparently set to resume full-time duty in the Saints’ secondary, the team is releasing veteran safety Kenny Phillips, per Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
Phillips, released by New Orleans as the team reduced its roster to 53 players before the season began, rejoined the Saints after Week 1, and has started three games since then. The former first-round pick, who spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Giants, logged 12 tackles this year with the Saints.
The Saints have yet to make an official announcement to confirm the transaction, but it would make sense if Phillips’ release was the corresponding roster move for the signing of punter Brandon Fields, a deal reported earlier this afternoon.