The New Orleans Saints promoted rookie defensive end Carl Granderson to their 53-man roster on Monday, as reported on the official league transactions wire. Granderson took the place of linebacker Alex Anzalone, who was designated to the injured reserve list with an undisclosed ailment.
Granderson missed Saints training camp and most of the summer while serving a jail sentence in Wyoming, ultimately spending 43 days behind bars before his sentencing was modified. He was charged with sexual battery earlier this year and was released on supervised probation after a new judge took over his case. He spent the last two weeks with the Saints, who were granted a temporary roster exemption via the commissioner’s exempt list.
It’s unlikely Granderson plays against the Seattle Seahawks this weekend, given the short amount of time he’s had to get back into football shape. But he could get playing-time later this season once his coaches believe he’s ready. The Saints gave him a $85,000 signing bonus (the most of any of their rookie undrafted free agents) and never released him outright, even while he was serving his jail sentence. He has some ability as a pass rusher, as was seen last year when he bagged 37 quarterback pressures for the Wyoming Cowboys.
