The New Orleans Saints‘ secondary took a success on Tuesday when three-time Professional Bowl security Tyrann Mathieu announced his retirement at 33 years outdated. Nevertheless, the Saints labored rapidly to herald a alternative. According to NFL Media, New Orleans is signing former Indianapolis Colts security Julian Blackmon.
Final season, Blackmon signed a one-year extension with Indianapolis and recorded 86 mixed tackles, 4 passes defensed and three interceptions whereas preventing via a shoulder damage. Blackmon has recorded seven interceptions over the previous two seasons after choosing off simply three passes in his first three NFL seasons.
Saints DB Tyrann Mathieu announces NFL retirement, ‘Honey Badger’ ends 12-year pro career
Will Backus
A 3rd-round select of Utah in 2020, Blackmon has but to play a full season on account of damage, however the 16 video games he appeared in final 12 months marked a profession excessive. Blackmon tore his ACL within the 2019 Pac-12 title recreation, and tore his Achilles throughout a apply session in his second NFL season again in 2021. In 66 profession video games performed, Blackmon has recorded 300 mixed tackles, 21 passes defensed and 10 interceptions.
In New Orleans, Blackmon joins a security room that is headlined by free-agency addition Justin Reid, third-round decide Jonas Sanker out of Virginia and Jordan Howden. Final season, the Saints completed 5-12 — marking probably the most losses they’ve suffered in a season for the reason that 3-13 marketing campaign again in 2005.
It was a season headlined by accidents, as New Orleans turned the primary workforce in NFL historical past to lose seven straight video games after successful its first two contests by 20-plus factors. The protection allowed 379.9 yards of complete offense per recreation, the third-most within the NFL.