Saints add veteran RB to practice squad

James Robinson‘s busy 2023 campaign has brought him to New Orleans. The running back is signing with the Saints, according to Nick Underhill. It’s a practice squad deal for Robinson, according to Luke Johnson of NOLA.com.

Robinson inked a two-year, $8M deal with the Patriots back in March, but a failed physical and health concerns ultimately led to his release. He caught on with the Giants for the preseason but didn’t make the roster, and he later had a handful of stints on the Packers practice squad before getting cut a final time last week. He ended up getting into one game for Green Bay, garnering two touches.

The Illinois State product had a memorable rookie season. His 1,414 yards from scrimmage setting the record for the most scrimmage yards by an undrafted rookie. His volume was down a bit in 2021, but Robinson was just as productive, averaging 5.1 yards per touch. However, he suffered a torn Achilles toward the end of that campaign that served as a setback for the following year.

He got into seven games with the Jaguars in 2022 before getting shipped to the Jets to finish the campaign. In 11 games between the two squads, Robinson compiled 476 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns.

The Saints aren’t in urgent need of RB depth with Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams leading the depth chart. Rookie Kendre Miller hasn’t seen the field since Week 9 while nursing an ankle injury, opening up an opportunity for Adam Prentice to get some extra snaps at the position. Per insider Katherine Terrell, Robinson was one of several RBs to audition for the Saints Tuesday, with the group also including Jerrion Ealy, John Lovett and Ty Montgomery.