| QBREES9 |
02-13-2011 09:41 PM |
Jordan Todman UConn Huskies running back.
The New Orleans Saints waived tailback P.J. Hill and fullback Marcus Mailei, both of whom spent last season on injured reserve.
Hill showed some potential in each of the past two summers and spent most of the 2009 season on the Saints' practice squad. But the 6-foot, 235-pounder missed a chance at a roster spot last year when he suffered a season-ending triceps injury during the preseason. The Saints could have used him as the season wore on. They wound up with five running backs on injured reserve.
The Saints' tailback position is full of question marks heading into 2011. Veteran Reggie Bush is due a salary of $11.8 million in the final year of his contract, which means he'll only remain in New Orleans if he agrees to a restructured contract. Fellow veteran Pierre Thomas, meanwhile, could become an unrestricted free agent, depending on the terms of the NFL's next collective bargaining agreement, and he is recovering from ankle surgery.
Second-year tailback Chris Ivory had a breakout rookie season, but he was also plagued by injuries and had foot surgery last month. He is expected to be healthy in plenty of time for the 2011 season. Third-year pro Lynell Hamilton is also expected back after suffering a season-ending knee injury during training camp last year.
Veterans Julius Jones, Ladell Betts and DeShawn Wynn all are scheduled to become free agents.
Mailei appeared in two games with the Saints as a rookie in 2009, primarily on special teams. He was placed on injured reserve last summer with an undisclosed leg injury.
|
