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The New Orleans Saints have signed four new players over the past two days, including former Miami Dolphins tight end Michael Egnew. And they released four, including second-year defensive lineman Lawrence Virgil, who was waived injured.

Egnew, 25, will be reunited with Saints assistant general manager Jeff Ireland, who drafted him in the third round out of Missouri in 2012 as GM of the Dolphins. Egnew never panned out, however, and finished with just seven catches for 69 yards in 18 games played.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder has bounced around the league since then without cracking an active roster. He was recently released by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Virgil, 24, suffered an unspecified injury during last Thursday’s preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens. The timing was unfortunate since the former undrafted free agent from Valdosta State had been playing well this summer and had a good chance at a roster spot.

Now the Saints will count even more on some of their current undrafted rookies to emerge as part of the D-line rotation. The good news is they seem to have plenty of candidates, with Bobby Richardson, Tavaris Barnes, Kaleb Eulls and Ashaad Mabry all flashing at times during camp.

The Saints also signed three second-year players who were undrafted in 2014: linebackers Justin Anderson and Chris Young and defensive tackle Austin Brown.

Anderson was coached by new Saints assistant linebackers coach James Willis at Louisiana-Lafayette. He spent two games on the New York Giants’ active roster last year and spent time with the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys. Young has spent time with the Houston Texans and New York Jets. Brown spent time with the Texans before joining the Arena Football League.

To make room, the Saints also released veteran tight end Alex Smith, undrafted rookie receiver Kyle Prater and undrafted rookie long snapper Chris Highland. Smith and Highland recently were signed as injury replacements.

One other transaction of note: Saints coach Sean Payton announced that rookie linebacker Davis Tull will be activated from the physically-unable-to-perform list. The fifth-round draft pick from Tennessee-Chattanooga has been sidelined since he had surgery to repair a torn labrum before the draft. He likely will practice for the first time Wednesday, though he probably will be limited.

New Orleans Saints sign TE Michael Egnew, release DL Lawrence Virgil - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN

SloMotion

I thought they just signed this guy & he was looking good, #scratchhead.

hagan714

TE Michael Egnew key words
Ireland
3rd round draft pick

converted receiver in college. Combine super star.

cut blocking skills for ball skills? Hback more than TE. maybe groom him to be a FB? can he lead block and pick up the blitz.

Or could it be an Ireland move? Giving his third round pick one more chance to prove Ireland right? Trying to save face? Maybe "See I told You So" badge of honor sort of thing?

kick back and add him to the list of wait and see players

It appears we have to go thru Ireland's short list of players moves that did not pan out in Miami.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

hagan714

interesting pickups at ILB. 2? hmmmm.
ILB Justin Anderson solid speed guy that plays with attitude.
ILB Chris Young is a thumper.

Austin Brown
Now of all the ones signed I want to see what this kid do. He might be a pet project for the PS. kinda of a bull Ox with some speed/quick's to him.

Cruize

Glad to see Tull well enough to practice.

SmashMouth

After being cut by Saints, long snapper Chris Highland returns to work at Illinois TV station | NOLA.com

Crusader

Fringe guys needs to have that backup plan.

AllSaints

Austin Brown just got carted off the field.....

QBREES9

As long as they can helps us win.

jnormand

What the...?