The New Orleans Saints have made the moves necessary to set their initial 53-man roster, but some of the players let go should not be leaving the organization for long. Once the waiver process concludes, New Orleans can begin building a practice squad with a potential extra spot available through the International Player Pathway program. Some of these players will need to clear waivers, while the veterans are free to consider other opportunities. If they remain available, these ten should be among the Saints' top priorities to bring back:
RB Zamir White
White only had a few days to learn the offense after arriving in a trade from the San Francisco 49ers, but he did make an immediate impression. He finished with four carries for 46 yards, including an 11-yard
touchdown, in the preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Saints have younger options in their backfield, but 45 games played and nine starts from White would provide valuable emergency depth, especially considering the injuries that have plagued New Orleans' backfield. Alvin Kamara, Ty Chandler, and Devin Neal are just a few of the team's injuries.
K Charlie Smyth
Smyth is the easiest player on this list to justify keeping. He remains part of the NFL's International Player Pathway program, allowing the Saints to keep him as an extra practice squad player without using a practice squad spot.
Daniel Carlson's arrival ended Smyth's bid for the starting job, but he still made 12-of-16 field goals during the final six games of 2025. Four of those makes came from at least 50 yards, and he converted on all 13 of his extra-point attempts.
QB Hunter Dekkers
Dekkers made the most of limited opportunities, completing 8-of-15 passes for 69 yards in his first NFL preseason action and leading a late drive to Jacksonville's 2-yard line. He spent last season on New Orleans' practice squad before gaining more experience in the UFL. His familiarity with the offense makes him a logical developmental quarterback to retain.
WR Bub Means
Means had one of the Saints' best individual preseason performances with four catches for 77 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars, including gains of 28 and 37. Injuries have limited the former fifth-round pick to seven regular-season games, but his combination of size and vertical speed remains intriguing. The Saints should continue developing him if he clears waivers.
OT Alan Herron
Herron started in all 24 games at right tackle during his two seasons at Maryland and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition in 2025. The undrafted rookie also received invitations to the NFL Scouting Combine and the Senior Bowl. A practice squad spot would give the Saints time to develop his technique while keeping another young tackle in the pipeline.
OL Xavier Truss
Truss appeared in seven games for the Saints as a rookie, primarily contributing on special teams. The 6-foot-7, 320-pound lineman can play tackle or guard and already has a year of experience in the organization. That familiarity would make him a useful option if injuries test the Saints' offensive line depth at any point this season.
S Terrell Burgess
Burgess appeared in 16 games for the Saints last season, contributing 15 tackles and three pass breakups. He already knows Brandon Staley's defense and can contribute in multiple phases, including special teams. If he doesn't get a better opportunity elsewhere, Burgess would be ideal veteran insurance on the practice squad.
CB Isaac Yiadom
Yiadom brings significantly more NFL experience than the typical practice-squad player, having appeared in 118 games with 34 career starts. He also played in 14 games for New Orleans last season. Yiadom's experience on defense and coverage units would make him a useful call-up if injuries test the Saints' young cornerback group.
WR Josh Palmer
Palmer brings more NFL production than most practice-squad candidates, having caught 51 passes for 557 yards and four touchdowns across 32 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His vertical speed and punt-return experience give him multiple ways to contribute if injuries create an opening. With Jordyn Tyson beginning the season on injured reserve, Palmer could provide valuable depth.
CB T.J. Hall Jr.
Hall was the Saints' final pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and one training camp shouldn't be enough to abandon that investment. He recorded 47 tackles and an interception in his final season at Iowa, showing the physicality and experience needed to develop into useful depth. The practice squad would give Hall time to refine his coverage skills and establish himself on special teams.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 10 Saints roster cuts who should return on the practice squad
