Utah_Saint

Posted by Curtis Crabtree on August 25, 2014, 10:33 PM EDT

The New Orleans Saints signed linebacker Victor Butler a season ago with the hope he could become a significant contributor to their defense.

Ultimately, he may never play a down for the team.

According to Kristian Garic of 870 WWL in New Orleans, the Saints are planning to release Butler as a part of their cuts to get down to 75 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

Butler suffered a torn ACL after colliding with running back Mark Ingram in practice in June 2013. He was placed on the physically unable to perform list with the hope his knee may somehow be able to recover in time for him to play down the stretch. That hope never materialized and Butler spent the entire season on the physically unable to perform list.

According to Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Butler returned to practice Monday after missing a significant amount of training camp with another issue, though this one was undisclosed by the Saints. The move to release Butler will save the Saints $1.5 million this season.

Butler’s last game action came with the Dallas Cowboys in 2012, where he appeared in all 16 games and recorded 25 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.



Report: Saints set to release linebacker Victor Butler | ProFootballTalk


Last season, I had really high hopes for Butler. Too bad. I hope he heals up soon.

Jack Vegas

Can't say it's too much of a surprise. I liked the guy's potential. But if he can't get on the field he's just eating up cap space.

It would be interesting to see if we go after any pass-rush OLB types. I think we play enough 4-3 and nickel stuff where it's not really a necessity, but it sure would be nice.

Utah_Saint

Can't make the club in the tub.

Danno

Fortt, Powell, Rufus, Edibali, Davis, Haralson...
Someone will step up.

Seer1

Would really have liked to see what he could do in the Black and Gold. Good luck Victor.

FinSaint

That's disappointing.

SmashMouth

I think Edibali made the team.

ScottF

The Victor Butler Project ends on the same day as the Andy Tanner Project.
Look out Alan Parsons.

Danno

Butler is always an option down the line. I think we''l be fine especially since we were fine without him last year.

We also run that 3-3-5 so much we may not miss him at all.

ikecomp

Kind of disappointed because I thought he could bring a rangy speed element that we're sorely lacking at the linebacker position but you can't keep everybody.