The New Orleans Saints re-signed linebacker Manti Te’o on Tuesday, following injuries to starters Kiko Alonso and A.J. Klein. Te’o started most of the 2017 season for the Saints before improved health in the linebacker corps (and the addition of Demario Davis) sidelined him in 2018, and he’s been a free agent since then.
According to a report from Katherine Terrell of The Athletic, Alonso’s status with a thigh injury isn’t considered a long-term concern. Terrell reported that Alonso is day-to-day at this point and the team isn’t sure whether he will be cleared to play on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. That could change in the next three days after team trainers get the opportunity to administer treatment and reevaluate Alonso’s condition, but in the meantime Te’o gives the Saints an experienced option to add to the depth chart.
Special teamers Craig Robertson and Stephone Anthony were each forced into last week’s game with the Atlanta Falcons after Alonso and Klein went out with injuries; it took a combined 11 snaps from them for the Saints to decide Te’o was needed. Whether Te’o plays on Sunday after being signed on the previous Tuesday is unlikely, but it can’t be ruled out if Alonso misses this 49ers game. Klein’s condition is less clear, and no information is coming out of New Orleans just yet on what’s ailing him. We should learn something when the week’s first injury report is published Wednesday afternoon.
