Saints shuffle talent on practice squad

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS — It may be the bye week for the New Orleans Saints, but some work never ends. That was the case for the Saints as they announced a pair of roster moves on Tuesday afternoon. They returned a familiar face to the practice squad, one that was a surefire return the moment he was waived.

The Saints announced that they have brought wide receiver and return specialist Jermaine Jackson back from the practice squad. Jackson was waived on Saturday right before the team’s Week 11 win against the Cleveland Browns. The space for Jackson was made by the team adding defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat to practice squad Injured Reserve.

Jackson had been handling kick and punt return duties since wide receiver and All-Pro returner Rashid Shaheed’s season came to an end earlier in the year. However, the Saints decided to go a different direction this past week when they elevated wide receiver Dante Pettis who contributed as a pass-catcher, kick return and punt returner — almost housing a punt return for a touchdown in the process.

Jackson is likely to see more opportunities as the season progresses, but Pettis should continue to get his chances with another standard elevation remaining on his ledger.

Jeffcoat suffered an offseason elbow injury that led to him being carted off the field during the second day of training camp. He had made his way back to the practice squad just two weeks ago, but was missing from practices shortly thereafter. Hopefully he will be able to heal up and return to fight for a role in next year’s offseason activities. It’s clear that New Orleans likes the tools he has to offer.