The New Orleans Saints promoted tight end Dan Arnold to their active roster on Saturday in anticipation of their Week 7 kickoff with the Chicago Bears, as first reported by Mike Triplett of ESPN. In a corresponding move, they waived veteran tight end Brian Parker, who was signed earlier this week as a free agent.
Arnold’s promotion isn’t surprising give the status of starting tight end Jared Cook, who was preemptively ruled out against the Bears with an ankle injury. With Cook and running back Alvin Kamara (who is batting knee and ankle issues) on the sidelines, the Saints will be without two of their top three leaders in receptions this season.
Arnold, a third-year pro out of Wisconsin-Platteville, converted to tight end last season after starting his career as a wide receiver. He provides the Saints with a big, fast target at 6-foot-6 and about 235 pounds. He’s logged 12 catches to gain 150 receiving yards in 10 career game appearances, all of them in 2018.
Now, the Saints will go into Week 7 with just two healthy tight ends on the roster in Arnold and Josh Hill, and Cook watching from the sidelines. It wouldn’t surprise if do-it-all quarterback Taysom Hill sees some time lined up at tight end, too.
