By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS, La. – After a quick roster re-shuffle, the New Orleans Saints have brought back one of their seventh-round rookies, tight end Moliki Matavao.
The team announced the move Tuesday afternoon. Matavao was waived Saturday, ahead of the Saints’ game against the Seattle Seahawks.
At the time of his release, the Saints also elevated tight end Treyton Welch from the practice squad. Now that Welch reverted back and wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. was waived, the Saints bring Matavao back to the roster.
So far, the rookie tight end has seen just 14 total snaps through his two game appearances, five on offense and nine on special teams. He has been positioned behind Juwan Johnson and Jack Stoll in the tight end rotation.
A skilled blocker during his time at Oregon before transferring to UCLA where he became the team’s best pass-catching threat in 2024, Matavao’s role is still being defined in New Orleans as he continues to develop.
New Orleans is hoping to see the tight end room filled out more in a handful of weeks as veterans Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill could see their three-week practice windows open after the team’s Week 4 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
