Saints Bring Back 2 Players on Practice Squad

Aug 15, 2026; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (81) reacts to making a first down against Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Branson Combs (50) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Saints Bring Back 2 Players on Practice Squad

Originally posted on New Orleans Saints on SI
By Grant Chachere | Last updated Sep 2, 2026 3:02 PM ET

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The New Orleans Saints announced that wide receiver Kevin Austin and tight end Treyton Welch have been signed to the practice squad.

The move comes after the Saints had originally waived Austin and Welch. That occurred post-claiming offensive tackle Mason Murphy and defensive tackle Colby Wooden from the waiver wire. Both Austin and Welch were a part of the original 53-man roster that was released on Sunday before the moves on Monday.

After Austin and Welch were not claimed through the waiver wire, the Saints added the two pass catchers to their practice squad. No surprises there as both have performed well throughout training camp with Austin receiving first-team reps when the injury bug hit the receiving corps.

New Orleans will play its first regular-season game on Sept. 13 as it travels to the Midwest to take on the Detroit Lions.

Below is the updated 53-man roster and practice squad:

New Orleans Saints 53-man roster

Quarterback (3): Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, Zach Wilson

Running Back (4): Travis Etienne, Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Audric Estimé

Wide Receiver (4): Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, Bryce Lance, Barion Brown, Jordyn Tyson (Injured Reserve/Designated to Return)

Tight End (3): Juwan Johnson, Noah Fant, Oscar Delp

Offensive Line (9): Kelvin Banks Jr., Taliese Fuaga, David Edwards, Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz, Mason Murphy, Asim Richards, William Sherman, Jeremiah Wright

Defensive Line (7): Davon Godchaux, Nathan Shepherd, John Ridgeway III, Khristian Boyd, Vernon Broughton, Christen Miller, Colby Wooten

Edge Rusher (5): Chase Young, Carl Granderson, Cam Jordan, Tyree Wilson, Anfernee Jennings

Linebacker (5): Kaden Elliss, Pete Werner, Danny Stutsman, Isaiah Stalbird, Chris Rumph, Jaylan Ford (Injured Reserve/Designated to Return)

Cornerback (6): Kool-Aid McKinstry, Quincy Riley, Martin Emerson Jr., Jayden Price, Mike Reid, Decamerion Richardson

Safety/Defensive Back (4): Justin Reid, Julian Blackmon, Jonas Sanker, Jordan Howden

Specialists (3): Daniel Carlson (K), Ryan Wright (P), Zach Wood (LS)

Saints Practice Squad

WR Kevin Austin
EDGE Fadil Diggs
RB CJ Donaldson
CB TJ Hall Jr.
OT Alan Herron
OT Easton Kilty
WR Jalen Moreno-Cropper
WR Trey Palmer
LB Jackson Sirmon
TE Stone Smartt
K Charlie Smyth
DL Jay’Viar Suggs
WR Cedric Tillman
TE Treyton Welch
RB Zamir White
OT Alex Wollschlager

Reserve List

Injured Reserved/Designated to Return

LB Jaylan Ford
WR Jordyn Tyson

Injured Reserve/Season-Ending

DB Dalys Beanum
DL Bryan Bresee
RB Ty Chandler
DE Mike Heldman
CB David Long Jr.
TE Moliki Matavao
RB Devin Neal
OL Dillon Radunz
S Lorenzo Styles
OT Barry Wesley
CB Rejzohn Wright

Placed on PUP

OL Nick Saldiveri
WR Mason Tipton

Reserve/Suspension

WR Brock Rechsteiner

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This article first appeared on New Orleans Saints on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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