After releasing several notable players during their cutdown to 53 players, the Saints have now brought a couple of those veterans back into the fold. According to head coach Sean Payton (Twitter link), in addition to re-signing kicker Shayne Graham, the club has also inked wideout Robert Meachem to a new deal. In a corresponding roster move, linebacker Khairi Fortt has been placed on injured reserve with the designation to return.
Meachem, 29, was selected by the Saints in the first round of the 2007 draft and spent five seasons with the team before playing in San Diego during the 2012 season. The Tennessee product returned to the Saints last season in a reduced role — after averaging 43 catches per season in New Orleans from 2009 to 2011, Meachem hauled in just 16 passes last season for 324 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The departure of veterans Darren Sproles and Lance Moore could mean a few more balls to go around for the team’s receivers this season, but second-year wideout Kenny Stills and rookie Brandin Cooks will likely grab a good chunk of those targets, so I’d expect Meachem to see limited action once again in 2014.
Fortt, a fourth-round pick this year, will be eligible to return to practice after Week 6 and can play in games after Week 8.