New Orleans Saints 75 to 53: 5 Running Backs Kept on 53-Man Roster

The New Orleans Saints didn’t have to decide between Chris Ivory and Travaris Cadet. They kept both running backs.

When the Saints turned in their final 53-man roster to the NFL it featured five running backs: Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram, Ivory and Cadet.

Ivory and Cadet had been going back and forth all preseason. Ivory got the better of Cadet, 3-2, in games with more rushing yards, but Cadet shined in the passing game—showing superb hands out of the backfield. It must have been a tough decision for the Saints, so they decided not to make it.

With Cadet on the roster, New Orleans has three big-time threats to catch passes out of the backfield. On a team with such a vertical passing attack like the Saints, that dump-off aspect of the offense can be invaluable.

Just look at the 86 passes Sproles caught last year, or the 50 Thomas grabbed. Cadet can reach those levels too if given the playing time.

The Saints also kept six receivers and were able to protect fourth-round draft pick Nick Toon by placing him on injured reserve.

Adrian Arrington, Joseph Morgan and Courtney Roby all made the team. Andy Tanner—who had very bright moments during preseason games—was a camp casualty.

Roby caught 10 passes in preseason action, nine in the first two games. The Saints still see upside in Arrington, even though he caught just two passes last year and didn’t play in the preseason after having surgery on his right knee to repair meniscus cartilage. Morgan had the most successful preseason with two touchdown catches and 15 receptions.

Here’s the official list, released by the Saints, of New Orleans’ necessary transactions to get to 53 players.

The contracts of wide receiver Greg Camarillo, kicker John Kasay and tight end Derek Schouman were terminated.

New Orleans waived linebackers Kadarron Anderson, Ezra Butler and Lawrence Wilson, defensive ends Braylon Broughton and Alex Daniels, quarterback Sean Canfield, tight end Michael Higgins, cornerback Nick Hixson, safety Jerico Nelson, offensive linemen DeOnt’ae Pannell, Aderious Simmons and Matt Tennant and wide receiver Andy Tanner.

Running back Joe Banyard, safety Jose Gumbs, cornerback Marquis Johnson and wide receiver Nick Toon were placed on the injured reserve list.

Linebacker Ramon Humber and defensive end Will Smith were added to the reserve/suspended list.