Saints Add Former Tiger Deculus to Practice Squad

The offensive line has been under the microscope all offseason for the New Orleans Saints.

Despite concern and struggle rearing its head throughout the process, the Saints were not able to add new faces to the position after roster cuts. That is, until Thursday. 

The team turned to a familiar face in the bayou. Per a source close to the team, the Saints added former LSU offensive tackle Austin Deculus to their practice squad. 

Head coach Dennis Allen gave a ballpark number of offensive linemen they typically like to carry between the practice squad an active roster on Tuesday. His range of 10 to 12 players is currently reflected. The team has eight in its active roster and now four on its practice roster. 

The 6-foot-5, 321 lbs. lineman scored high marks on his athletic testing coming into the league. He has spent time with the Houston Texans and New York Jets since entering the league in 2022 as a sixth-round draft pick by Houston. 

He has appeared in seven career games and joins the team at just 25-years-old. He adds yet another player with Louisiana ties to the team. 

New Orleans also flipped tight ends on its practice squad Thursday. The team terminated the contract of tight end Mason Fairchild and added Treyton Welch who spent his offseason with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming. 

These two moves fill the Saints’ roster at 53 and top their practice squad out at 17 players. That is one more than teams are typically allowed to carry. But with international kicker Charlie Smyth eligible as a roster exemption, the Saints are allowed to carry an extra player.