New Orleans Saints

The Falcons released three veterans — defensive end Chauncey Davis, linebacker Coy Wire and defensive tackle Trey Lewis — and 14 other players on Friday. The team made the cuts in order to get closer to the 53-man roster limit. The team also waived tight end Marquez Branson, fullback Lucas Cox, center Paul Fenaroli, safety Matt Hansen, wide receiver Brandyn Harvey, running back Gartrell Johnson, defensive end Tom McCarthy, cornerback Kamaal McIlwain, center Ryan McMahon, safety Rafael Priest, defensive end Kiante Tripp, safety Suaesi Tuimaunei and linebacker Bear Woods. The Falcons also reached an injury settlement with wide receiver Andy Strickland.

The Saints placed K Garrett Hartley on injured reserve on Tuesday due to hip flexor injury. Hartley was injured during the team's third preseason game and had been ruled inactive in all three games thus far in the season.

Right hip - IR. Out for the season

Notable Saints players let go on Saturday include: TE Tyler Lorenzen, WR Montez Billings, LB Dwight Roberson, DT Dexter Larimore, QB Sean Canfield, WR Andy Tanner, CB Terrail Lambert, LB Nate Bussey, WR Jarred Fayson, TE Michael Higgins, TE Tory Humphrey, S Chris Reis, CB Trumaine McBride, CB Quincy Butler, LB Clint Ingram, RB Chris Taylor and S Pierson Prioleau.

New Orleans DB Roman Harper notched eight tackles and 1 1/2 sacks during the Saints' 36-32 loss to San Francisco in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday. Harper was able to take down 49ers QB Alex Smith twice and also forced a fumble on one of the plays.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that the Saints are likely to use Turk McBride as their starting left end in the absence of Alex Brown. Brown was released on Tuesday.

Saints LB Ramon Humber recorded his first sack of the season on Sunday night against the Lions. He finished the contest with three solo tackles.

New Orleans RB Pierre Thomas left in the first quarter after taking a hit to the head against San Francisco in their NFC divisional round playoff on Saturday and will not return. Thomas caught a pass from QB Drew Brees on the Saints’ opening drive and absorbed a vicious blow from DB Donte Whitner just short of the goal line. Whitner jarred the ball loose, and Patrick Willis recovered for the 49ers at their own 2-yard line.

Head - Left Divisional Playoff game at San Francisco

The Saints made a flurry of moves Tuesday to get down to an 80-player roster. They waived/injured LB Erza Butler and RB Chris Taylor. They released DL Alex Brown, while also waiving WR John Chiles, FB Kolby Hurt and DB Mark Parson.

The Saints signed TE Tory Humphrey and released QB Sean Canfield on Wednesday.

The New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms with their top draft pick, defensive end Cameron Jordan. Jordan's agent, Doug Hendrickson of Octagon, confirms Tuesday's deal. No terms have been released. The 6-foot-4, 297-pound Jordan, who is the son of former Pro Bowl tight end Steve Jordan, was taken 24th overall out of California.

Saints DL Will Smith had one sack Sunday at the Titans in Week 14. He also added three tackles, all solo. Smith now has 29 tackles on the season and 6.5 sacks.

New Orleans announced it re-signed DE Jeff Charleston on Saturday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed for Charleston, who served as a backup last season and has been with the team since 2008.

New Orleans DB Malcolm Jenkins recorded eight tackles and a sack during the Saints' 36-32 loss to San Francisco in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday. All of Jenkins' tackles were solo stops as he shared the team lead with fellow DB Roman Harper.

LB Darry Beckwith was waived by the Colts on Tuesday.

New Orleans RB Darren Sproles tallied 15 receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown during the Saints' 36-32 loss to San Francisco in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday. Sproles' impressive catch total established an NFL playoff record as he collected 19 targets from QB Drew Brees. Sproles also had a 44-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter to give New Orleans its first lead of the game.

The Saints placed LB Will Herring on injured reserve on Tuesday. Herring will not be available for the playoffs now after suffering an undisclosed injury in the Week 17 win over the Panthers.

Undisclosed - IR. Out for the season

Saints LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar had a big game on Monday night Week 12 against the Giants. Dunbar helped lead New Orleans to victory as he tied for the team lead in tackles with 10. Dunbar had five solo tackles in the contest.

Though Saints coach Sean Payton was going to hold him out Sunday against the Raiders, DL Sedrick Ellis found his way on to the field despite a shoulder injury. He ended up with one tackles in the win during limited playing time.

Drew Brees’ record-setting season earned the New Orleans quarterback the 2011 Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year award -- the second time he's been honored with the prize in his prolific career. Brees, the 2008 top offensive player, received 43 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL. Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers earned the other seven votes.

Colts.com reports that the team has let go of WR Aaron Brown, DE Noland Burchette, WR Brian Hare, DB Cedrick Holt, DT Tom Johnson, DB Norman LeJeune and QB Mike McGann.

New Orleans released TE Tory Humphrey on Saturday to make room on the roster for RB Chris Ivory, who was activated from the PUP list. Ivory had been inactive since the start of training camp with a hernia. He is expected to fill in for injured RB Mark Ingram, who was ruled out for Week 8.

Notable Saints players let go on Saturday include: TE Tyler Lorenzen, WR Montez Billings, LB Dwight Roberson, DT Dexter Larimore, QB Sean Canfield, WR Andy Tanner, CB Terrail Lambert, LB Nate Bussey, WR Jarred Fayson, TE Michael Higgins, TE Tory Humphrey, S Chris Reis, CB Trumaine McBride, CB Quincy Butler, LB Clint Ingram, RB Chris Taylor and S Pierson Prioleau.

Undisclosed - IR. Out for the season

New Orleans K John Kasay converted a field goal and three extra points during the Saints' 36-32 loss to San Francisco in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday. Kasay booted a 48-yard attempt at the beginning of the fourth quarter -- the longest field goal ever in New Orleans franchise history.

The Saints waived DL Mitch King on Tuesday. King totaled three tackles through the first three weeks of the season.

The Packers have listed FB Korey Hall as questionable for Saturday's Divisional Playoff game at Atlanta. Hall has been dealing with a knee injury.

Notable Saints players let go on Saturday include: TE Tyler Lorenzen, WR Montez Billings, LB Dwight Roberson, DT Dexter Larimore, QB Sean Canfield, WR Andy Tanner, CB Terrail Lambert, LB Nate Bussey, WR Jarred Fayson, TE Michael Higgins, TE Tory Humphrey, S Chris Reis, CB Trumaine McBride, CB Quincy Butler, LB Clint Ingram, RB Chris Taylor and S Pierson Prioleau.

Saints WR Lance Moore was inactive once again for Saturday's Divisional Playoff game at San Francisco. Moore continued to miss practice all week after not playing last weekend as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury. The injury was suffered Week 16 and Moore has yet to return for the Saints.

Hamstring - Missed Divisional Playoff game at San Francisco

Saints DB Leigh Torrence recorded his second career interception in Week 7 against the Colts. He picked off QB Curtis Painter in the fourth quarter and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown. Torrence also had one tackle in the 62-7 win.

The Bucs, along with most of the NFL, made their final cuts on Saturday before the deadline. Among the casualties were RB Armando Allen Jr., S Ahmad Black, QB Rudy Carpenter, QB Jonathan Crompton, WR Ed Gant, TE Daniel Hardy, S Dominique Harris, LB Brandon Heath, LB Simoni Lawrence, RB Mossis Madu, DE Alex Magee, TE Nathan Overbay, WR Maurice Price (Injury Settlement), TE Ryan Purvis, FB/LB Nick Reveiz, K Jacob Rogers, LB Derrell Smith and DT Al Woods.

New Orleans WR Devery Henderson recorded four catches for 49 yards during the Saints' 36-32 loss to San Francisco in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday. Henderson was targeted eight times by QB Drew Brees, but he managed just a long gain of 19 yards. After posting 100-yard performances in each of the first two weeks of the season, Henderson was unable to reach that mark again this year, including the postseason.

Saints FB Jed Collins had two catches for 4 yards Sunday at Tennessee in Week 14. He had two targets in the game.

Sean Payton said he wanted to be smart by sitting both S Malcolm Jenkins (neck) and LB Jonathan Vilma (knee), who were both questionable coming into the Panthers game, for their regular-season finale. Payton said both probably would have been able to play if it were next week in the playoffs.

Saints LB Jonathan Casillas totaled two solo tackles and one sack in Week 2 against the Bears. He now has two sacks through two games.

Saints DB Jabari Greer led the team in tackles on Monday night in the Week 16 win over Atlanta. Greer finished the game with 10 tackles and eight of them were solo stops. Greer added one tackle for a loss and one pass defended in the victory.

Saints head coach Sean Payton said Thursday that RB Mark Ingram underwent toe surgery and is fine. He was placed on injured reserve prior to the team's first playoff game.

Toe - IR. Out for the season. Probable for start of 2012 training camp

New Orleans WR Robert Meachem registered three catches for only 18 yards during the Saints' 36-32 loss to San Francisco in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday. Meachem posted four targets from QB Drew Brees as he briefly left the game in the second half. Meachem, who was listed as probable for the game with a leg injury, limped to the locker room during the third quarter before returning for the rest of the contest.

The Saints promoted TE Mike Higgins from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Friday.

New Orleans LB Scott Shanle recorded three solo tackles and a sack in Sunday's win over Detroit. That was his first sack of the season.

The Saints placed TE David Thomas on injured reserve Tuesday evening. The team has not announced what his injury is, but Thomas appeared to suffer another concussion against the Falcons back in Week 10.

New Orleans TE Jimmy Graham had five catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns during the Saints' 36-32 loss to San Francisco in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday. Graham, who briefly left the game during the first quarter, appeared to haul in the game-winning touchdown pass with 1:48 remaining to give New Orleans a 32-29 lead in the fourth. But the 49ers scored with 14 seconds left to eliminate the Saints and Graham after he recorded a touchdown for the fifth consecutive game, including the regular season.

New Orleans RB Chris Ivory rushed for 23 yards on nine carries during the Saints' 36-32 loss to San Francisco in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday. Ivory paced New Orleans as the team managed just 37 total rushing yards against the 49ers' top-ranked run defense.

Saints QB Chase Daniel got some rare playing time in Week 9 against the Panthers. With New Orleans leading 34-3 late in the fourth quarter, Daniel replaced Drew Brees on the team's final drive. Daniel did not get to attempt a throw, but he did scramble for 16 yards.

Saints coach Sean Payton said on Wednesday that DB Patrick Robinson isn't necessarily the starter over Tracy Porter despite Robinson starting every game when Porter was hurt or healthy. "Ten years ago, we'd be waiting to write a story on whether he's officially replaced Tracy as the starting DB, but now, that would be silly because we have so many different packages."

Saints rookie LB Martez Wilson, who was getting a start in place of Will Herring against the Texans in Week 3, left the game early with a shoulder injury. He had two tackles, including one solo, before leaving.

New Orleans DB Tracy Porter sealed the deal for the Saints after his fourth quarter interception in Week 13 against the Lions. He finished the game with six solo tackles as well.

New Orleans TE John Gilmore recorded a touchdown on his lone catch of the game during the Saints' 42-20 rout of Minnesota in Week 15. Gilmore hauled in a 2-yard pass from QB Drew Brees on his only target as he finished with one reception for the second outing in a row.

Toe - Missed Divisional Playoff game at San Francisco

Saints DL Junior Galette totaled two sacks and three quarterback hits in Week 2 against the Bears. He now has 2 1/2 sacks through two games.

The Saints and Dolphins were able to strike a deal Thursday, as RB Reggie Bush ended up in Miami -- sending reserve safety Jonathon Amaya to New Orleans in return along with an exchange of undisclosed draft picks.

The Raiders waived/released S Jerome Boyd, DB Darrick Brown, DE Greyson Gunheim, WR Jonathan Holland, LB David Nixon, LB Slade Norris, LB Chris O'Neill, FB Marcel Reece, RB Gary Russell, TE Darrell Strong, DT Ryan Boschetti, QB Jeff Garcia, LB Morlon Greenwood, CB Justin Miller, DT Terdell Sands, DB Mike Hawkins and DB Rashad Baker on Saturday.

The Saints signed free-agent DT Shaun Rogers to a one-year contract Tuesday. Rogers is a former three-time Pro Bowl player who was recently released by Cleveland.

The Saints placed RB Patrick Cobbs, WR Joe Morgan and S Paul Oliver on IR. Morgan is the most relevant of this group as the undrafted rookie free agent proved to be a weapon on offense and special teams during the preseason, but sustained a knee injury during practice last week requiring surgery.

Knee - IR. Out for the season

Saints coach Sean Payton said after Friday's preseason opener against the 49ers that CB Johnny Patrick's knee injury will be the main ailment to monitor coming away from the game. Payton deemed it a sprain. Patrick entered the game with an injured wrist.

New Orleans WR Marques Colston registered nine catches for a team-high 136 yards and a touchdown during the Saints' 36-32 loss to San Francisco in their NFC Divisional Playoff game on Saturday. Colston, who racked up 12 targets from QB Drew Brees, was also one of three New Orleans receivers to top 100 yards in the game. He connected with Brees on a 25-yard touchdown strike during the second quarter to pull the Saints within three points of the lead going into halftime.

Saints WR Adrian Arrington was not able to take part in Monday's practice as the team prepares for the Packers in Week 1. He was sidelined with a knee injury.

DL Aubrayo Franklin has his best performance since joining the Saints in Week 5 against the Panthers. Franklin totaled five tackles (four solo), one sack and one forced fumble against Carolina. He had four tackles in four games coming into Week 5.

The Saints announced Sunday that they were able to come to terms with WR/KR Courtney Roby. Terms of the deal weren't disclosed. Roby was a special teams contributer for the team for 13 games before he landed on the injured reserve with a head injury.

Saints coach Sean Payton said Wednesday seventh-round pick DE Greg Romeus has been placed on IR after spending all of the regular season on the PUP list. Romeus tore his ACL while at Pittsburgh one year ago and the Saints drafted Romeus knowing the DE would spend most of this season rehabbing the injury.

Knee - IR. Out for the season