The New Orleans Saints may have had a day off on Tuesday, but the front office was anything but idle. A handful of roster moves shuffled the depth chart, including a new face joining the practice squad and a couple of players departing from the active roster.
These kinds of transactions might not grab headlines, but they can have real implications as the Saints try to stay competitive down the stretch. Let’s break down what each move means.
CB Beanie Bishop signs to the practice squad
This one’s a depth move with some upside. Beanie Bishop, 25, brings positional flexibility that the Saints can absolutely use right now. He’s logged meaningful reps both in the slot and at safety-versatility that becomes even more valuable with starting safety Justin Reid working his way back from a knee injury.
Bishop originally entered the league with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent and has a prior connection with Saints cornerbacks coach Grady Brown, who was in Pittsburgh during Bishop’s time there. That familiarity could help him get up to speed quickly. For now, he figures to provide insurance behind Alontae Taylor in the nickel role, but don’t be surprised if he sees action if injuries persist in the secondary.
RB Ian Wheeler released from the practice squad
Wheeler was a short-term solution when Alvin Kamara was dealing with knee and ankle issues. His release suggests that Kamara is trending in the right direction health-wise-good news for a Saints offense that leans heavily on his dual-threat ability.
Even without Wheeler, the Saints still have plenty of depth in the backfield with Devin Neal, Evan Hull, and Audric Estime on the 53-man roster. Wheeler’s stint was brief, but that’s the nature of the practice squad carousel. Here’s hoping he lands on his feet somewhere else.
WR Kevin Austin Jr. waived from the 53-man roster
Austin got the call-up after the Saints waived veteran Brandin Cooks, but his opportunity was limited-just five snaps in the game against Miami. With Devaughn Vele and Chris Olave entrenched as the top two wideouts, and Mason Tipton coming off a career-high 61 snaps in that same game, Austin simply didn’t have a path to consistent playing time.
Assuming he clears waivers, there’s a good chance he’ll be back on the practice squad. For now, the Saints seem content with their current trio, especially with Tipton carving out a bigger role.
RT Barry Wesley waived from the 53-man roster
This one raises a few eyebrows. Wesley spent most of the season on injured reserve with a hip issue and was only recently activated.
The Saints used one of their limited IR-return designations to bring him back, which usually signals a plan to get the player involved. Instead, they’ve decided to waive him.
That might indicate confidence in the current offensive line group or perhaps a shift in priorities. If Wesley clears waivers, a return to the practice squad would make sense. Either way, it’s a curious move given the investment in his rehab and return.
These aren’t blockbuster transactions, but they’re the kind of under-the-radar moves that can shape a team’s depth and readiness, especially as injuries pile up late in the season. The Saints are clearly still tweaking the roster to find the right mix of health, experience, and upside. As always, the practice squad is a revolving door, and with a month left in the regular season, more changes are likely on the horizon.