By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — After not hitting the field in the first four weeks of the season, New Orleans Saints wide receiver A.T. Perry was working to find the best way he could contribute and get back to competing on Sundays. Now, his time in New Orleans is over.
Per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, the Saints have waived Perry. The Wake Forest product was drafted late in the 2023 NFL Draft and put up some impressive numbers to close out the season last year.
In his limited 2023 action of 10 games, Perry caught 12 passes for 246 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He was hoping to build on that momentum in 2024. However, with a new coaching staff and offensive system, the big-bodied wideout was struggling to find his way to the field. Not because of a lack of talent, but because of what seemed like an uncertainty around his role and best path to contributions.
Per a source close to the situation, Perry’s role was still being felt out up to the Week 4 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. The game where the team came up short on a deep red zone drive that a player like Perry might have been able to help find success. Perry was inactive for each game this year, some due to injury (hand and hamstring) and some games as a healthy scratch.
Assuming his time in New Orleans has completely come to an end, Perry will be a solid asset where he lands if given the opportunity. These kinds of moves sometimes result in a later reunion by the releasing team. Perry and the Saints seemed to be working diligently to figure out his fit in the new system, but perhaps the gap was too wide. That remains to be seen for now.
The Saints will likely look to add offensive line talent after being overcome with a rash of injuries in the trenches. While some may be quick to leap at the idea that this would free up a roster spot for a potential Davante Adams trade, it might be worth it to pump the brakes on that expectation at this time.
