When the New Orleans Saints trimmed their roster down to 53 men, one of the most intriguing position battles came in the running back room. There was depth, there was talent, and there were tough decisions to be made.
Ultimately, the Saints rolled with a group headlined by Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller, alongside Devin Neal and Velus Jones Jr. That left undrafted rookie Marcus Yarns on the outside looking in.
Yarns, who showed flashes throughout training camp, didn’t land a spot on the final roster. Instead, he took his talents north, joining the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ practice squad in the CFL.
That stint lasted until October. Now, he’s getting another shot-this time in the UFL with the Houston Gamblers.
For those who watched Yarns closely during his time in New Orleans, the potential was obvious. He brought a burst that could flip the field in an instant-true home run speed-and he wasn’t just a threat on the ground. His ability to catch passes out of the backfield made him a versatile weapon, the kind of player offensive coordinators love to scheme around.
But as is often the case in the NFL, talent alone doesn’t guarantee a roster spot. Sometimes it’s about timing, fit, and opportunity. The Saints entered the season with a crowded and capable backfield, and there just wasn’t enough room for Yarns to break through.
Now, with the Houston Gamblers, Yarns has a fresh opportunity to showcase what he can do. The UFL isn’t just a second chance-it’s a proving ground. If he can stay healthy and flash that same explosiveness he showed in camp, there’s no reason he can’t put himself back on the NFL radar.
Plenty of players have used leagues like the UFL as a springboard back to the big stage. For Marcus Yarns, this next chapter is all about turning potential into production-and reminding teams why he was worth a look in the first place.