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New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Casillas, who had visited with the Tennessee Titans and fielded interest from other teams as well, is likely to sign his tender offer with the club, according to a league source. The signature should come in the next couple of days.

Friday is the deadline for restricted free agents to sign with other clubs. The Saints had put a first right of refusal tender offer on Casillas, which would mean a one year contract in the neighborhood of $1.26 million; another team would not face a draft pick compansation if it signed him.

The move is unlikely to come as a complete surprise to the Saints - last week, general manager Mickey Loomis had Casillas slotted as a starting linebacker along with Jonathan Vilma and Curtis Lofton on his pre-draft whiteboard.

Casillas, 6-feet-1, 227, has shown flashes of playmaking ability since he made the team as an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin in 2009. He was playing with the first team in camp in 2010 before suffering a foot injury that cost him the season. Last year, played in 13 games with 4 starts, notching 33 solo tackles and 24 assists. He also had three sacks and was credited with three passes defended.

But injuries again hampered him in 2011, as Casillas was inactive with a knee injury for three regular season games and the wild-card playoff round victory over Detroit.

For his three-year NFL career in New Orleans, Casillas has appeared in 24 games with 6 starts, recording 44 solo tackles and 33 assists.

New Orleans Saints LB Jonathan Casillas likely to sign tender with team - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

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