Saints release veteran tight end as team sets 53-man roster

The Saints welcomed back some old faces and said goodbye to others on their way toward setting their initial 53-man roster. Here are the moves the Saints made in their efforts to select the roster they will open the season with, per a team announcement:

Released:

• LB Ryan Connelly
• TE J.P. Holtz
• TE Jesse James
• T Storm Norton
• CB Bradley Roby
• LB Jaylon Smith
• LB Ty Summers
• RB Darrel Williams

Waived:

• S Johnathan Abram
• LB Nick Anderson
• WR Kawaan Baker
• FB Jake Bargas
• WR Lynn Bowden
• DL Jerron Cage
• WR Shaq Davis
• DT Prince Emili
• OL Mark Evans II
• G Chuck Filiaga
• DB Adrian Frye
• P Blake Gillikin
• DT Jack Heflin
• DB Anthony Johnson
• OL Lewis Kidd
• WR Jontrae Kirklin
• G Tommy Kraemer
• TE Lucas Krull
• DE Niko Lalos
• RB Ellis Merriweather
• S Smoke Monday
• LB Anfernee Orji
• DE Kyle Phillips
• OL Alex Pihlstrom
• DB Troy Pride
• OL Calvin Throckmorton

The veteran tight end James will have to continue his recent tour of the NFL. He, Holtz and Krull fell victim to the reunion of New Orleans and former All-Pro Jimmy Graham.

On defense, Smith failed to make the roster after starting 11 games for the Giants last year. Roby is another player who was initially expected to contribute, but will have to pack up his locker.

With the emergence of rookie third-round pick Kendre Miller and the eventual return of Alvin Kamara, keeping Williams in the running backs room just wasn’t worth the roster spot.

On special teams, the third-year punter Gillikin lost the punting battle with undrafted rookie signee out of Miami (FL) Lou Hedley. The viral, jacked, tatted-up, Australian, 30-year-old rookie punter makes his first NFL roster as part of the Saints’ new-look special teams group.