The New Orleans Saints announced their eight-man practice squad on Sunday, signing six players they cut on Friday and two who were released by other teams.
TE Mike Higgins (2nd year, Nebraska-Omaha) and WR Andy Tanner (2nd year, Midwestern State) are the most notable names. Higgins was a surprise cut Friday. He had a decent preseason after appearing in two regular-season games last year and even had a catch in the playoffs. New Orleans chose veteran Daniel Graham, a recent acquisition, as its third tight end. Tanner, who was on the Saints’ practice squad last year, was having an excellent preseason before spraining an ankle against Jacksonville and missing the final two games.
The other four players cut by the Saints then signed to practice squad are DE Braylon Broughton (rookie, TCU), LB Ezra Butler (1st year, Connecticut), CB Nick Hixson (rookie, Hillsdale) and S Jerico Nelson (rookie, Arkansas).
The Saints also signed OG Ricky Henry (2nd year, Nebraska), who was cut by Chicago this week after playing in one game as a rookie, and OG Harland Gunn (rookie, Miami), who Dallas waived this week.
QB Sean Canfield, who played extensively in the final preseason game against Tennessee, did not make the list. He was on the New Orleans practice squad for much of the past two seasons after the Saints took him in the seventh round of the 2010 draft.
Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on twitter @CBSSportsNFLNO.
