Keke Coutee‘s brief stint with the Saints has come to an end. After signing with the organization in mid-June, the wide receiver has been released, according to Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football (via Twitter). Coutee was cut to make room for linebacker Jaylon Smith.
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Coutee was brought in two months ago to provide some experience to a crowded Saints receivers room. Michael Thomas, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed are already written in atop the depth chart, leaving 10 other receivers to compete for two spots. That grouping includes five-year Saint Tre’Quan Smith and rookie sixth-round pick A.T. Perry, along with Lynn Bowden, Bryan Edwards, James Washington, Keith Kirkwood, Kawaan Baker, Jontre Kirklin, and rookie Shaquan Davis.
For the time being, Coutee proved to be the odd man out, even with Shaheed and Smith missing time during training camp. The release will provide the veteran some extra time to catch on with a new squad, and he’ll also have a chance to avoid the flood of free agents who will hit the market at the end of the preseason.
The 2018 fourth-round pick spent three seasons with the Texans to begin his career, hauling in 83 catches in 23 games. His best season came in 2020, when he caught 33 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns despite playing in only eight games (four starts). He was waived by the Texans at the end of the 2021 preseason and has spent the past two seasons with the Colts.
He got into 10 games during his time in Indy, although he only had two catches during his stint with the team. He also returned 17 punts for the Colts last season.
Not much availability the last three years and aging fast. I wonder if there’s any substance abuse. At least Coutee isn’t butter fingers when he’s on the field (career catch ratio over 70%). Maybe he can’t get open, as most QB’s love to throw to a receiver who catches the ball most of the time.
Always liked him when he was in Houston – smaller receiver that needs quickness and burst to make impact. Has had injury issues which has kept him from being overly consistent. Still remember the one game he torched the Colts for 10+ catches.