Life on the fringe of an NFL roster is a grind - and this week was a perfect example of just how unpredictable that life can be. The New Orleans Saints made a couple of quick moves that, on the surface, looked like simple roster housekeeping. But for the players involved, it was another reminder of how fast things can change in this league.
Wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. and offensive lineman Barry Wesley were both waived from the Saints’ 53-man roster on Tuesday. Less than 48 hours later, after clearing waivers unclaimed, both were back in the building - this time as members of the practice squad. They re-signed and were back on the field for Thursday’s practice.
Now, these kinds of procedural moves happen all the time in the NFL. But they’re never routine for the players living them.
One moment you're in the locker room prepping for Sunday, the next you're waiting to see if another team picks you up - which could mean a cross-country flight and a brand-new playbook in less than a day. This time, the Saints got their guys back.
But it doesn’t always go that way. One waiver claim can flip a player's world upside down.
For Austin Jr. and Wesley, the Saints’ decision to bring them back means stability - at least for now. They're still in the system, still getting reps, still one injury or roster tweak away from being back on the active roster.
That’s the reality for a lot of players around the league. The practice squad isn’t just a developmental space anymore; it’s a lifeline, and a launchpad.
With these moves, the Saints are back at full strength - 53 players on the active roster and 17 on the practice squad. That includes kicker Charlie Smyth, who remains on the practice squad for the time being. The team’s been shuffling pieces to keep their depth intact, especially with injuries and late-season fatigue setting in across the league.
For now, everything’s set. But in the NFL, the only constant is change - especially for the guys fighting to stay in the building.