Saints Begin Roster Cuts Ahead of Deadline
The Saints are trimming their roster to 53 players by the Sunday deadline, with several cuts already announced. Notable waivers include wide receiver Bub Means and offensive lineman Xavier Truss. The team is also placing Mason Tipton on the in-season PUP list.
The Saints face a Sunday 5:00 p.m. CT deadline to reduce their roster from 91 players to the league-mandated 53. Among the early departures, wide receiver Bub Means drew particular attention; despite fan popularity, the team waived him, and analysts expect another franchise to claim him quickly rather than see him clear to the practice squad. Offensive lineman Xavier Truss also was cut after extensive preseason playing time, though his Pro Football Focus grades in two games reportedly hurt his chances.
Additional moves include placing wide receiver Mason Tipton on the in-season PUP list, plus waivers for quarterback Hunter Dekkers, cornerback Dalys Beanum, and several defensive linemen and edge rushers. Several waived players, including Dekkers and receiver Ronnie Bell, are projected as practice squad candidates. The list remains fluid as more announcements are expected before the deadline.
These roster decisions could affect the Saints' competitive depth for the upcoming season, as waived players may be claimed by rival teams or retained on the practice squad. Fans and local media may closely track which cuts stick, since injuries or underperformance later in the year could force the team to revisit these choices. The moves also reflect broader NFL roster-management pressures that all franchises face, potentially shaping how the Saints approach early-season matchups.