After two years out of football, LB Kiko Alonso returns to Saints on one-year deal
On Thursday, the New Orleans Saints welcomed a familiar face back into the fold, agreeing to a one-year deal with free agent linebacker Kiko Alonso.
Alonso hasn't played an NFL game since tearing his ACL in 2019 while with the Saints.
The Saints reportedly had Alonso and fellow veteran linebackers Anthony Hitchens and Jon Bostic in for workouts Thursday before ultimately agreeing to a deal with the six-year vet.
Alonso appeared in 13 games, starting four, for the Saints during the 2019 season, compiling 31 tackles.
After being put on the physically unable to perform list ahead of the 2020 season, the Saints traded Alonso and a fifth-round draft choice to the San Francisco 49ers for linebacker Kwon Alexander. Alonso was cut by the Niners just three weeks later.
The Buffalo Bills selected Alonso in the second round of the 2013 NFL draft out of the University of Oregon.
Alonso started 16 games his rookie season with the Bills, tallying 159 tackles, four interceptions, and two sacks, which all remain career highs for the 31-year-old.
That offseason, the Bills dealt Alonso to the Philadelphia Eagles for shifty running back LeSean McCoy. After one season in Philly, Alonso was on the move again, traded to the Miami Dolphins, where he spent three seasons before joining the Saints ahead of the 2019 season.
In 86 career NFL games for the Bills, Eagles, Dolphins, and Saints, Alonso has compiled 588 tackles, 17 forced fumbles, 10 interceptions, and three sacks.
More must-reads: