Foster Moreau‘s return to football took an unexpected and encouraging step when he inked a deal with the Saints. That move suggests the veteran tight end will be able to suit up by the fall, but he could be on the field much sooner than that point. 
Moreau – who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma earlier this offseason – could take part in OTAs in New Orleans, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. That would represent another surprising development, considering the 26-year-old is still receiving treatment at this time. Head coach Dennis Allen confirmed that Moreau’s prognosis has remained “extremely positive,” opening the door to his quick return to the field.
The latter signed a three-year, $12MM pact to continue playing with quarterback Derek Carr after the pair spent time together with the Raiders. Moreau received $8MM guaranteed, illustrating the Saints’ confidence that he can recover in full and play a large part in the team’s passing attack. Moreau will compete with Juwan Johnson for snaps and targets in what is now a Carr-led offense.
The Saints created a vacancy in the TE room by trading Adam Trautman to the Broncos. After that deal was complete, New Orleans – one of the teams which hosted Moreau on a free agent visit – circled back to the latter to work out a deal knowing his absence from football was expected to be temporary.
“I think we knew that he was going to be cleared to participate and we felt like we were a destination that he was certainly interested in,” Allen said, via Terrell. “And so soon as the draft was over we had some communication. I will say that we knew where we were looking and it was just a matter of trying to get something done.”
New Orleans will begin OTAs on May 23, which will be the first point at which Moreau could practice with his new team. To no surprise, Allen insisted that the team will remain cautious in their approach with the LSU product, but his latest remarks point further to a quick recovery on Moreau’s part not long after what could have been a career-ending diagnosis.