The New Orleans Saints added another defensive end to their training camp roster on Monday, as first reported by NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. Veteran free agent Kyle Phillips signed with the Saints after trying out for them a week ago — replacing Jabari Zuniga, a young backup who suddenly retired after the first week of practices.
Phillips, 29, knows a lot of other players on the roster after starting his pro career with the New York Jets (where he played alongside defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd). Before that, he played college football at Tennessee, where the Saints have looked often for talent in the NFL draft; they’ve added many players from Rocky Top including star running back Alvin Kamara and second-year cornerback Alontae Taylor.
This new addition fits the Saints’ established prototype at defense end. Phillips weighs in at a listed 6-foot-4 and 277 pounds, but he has his work cut out for him in competing for a roster spot. With Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson, Payton Turner, and Isaiah Foskey on top of the depth chart, Phillips needs to outwork Niko Lalos and prove he’s a better option than Tanoh Kpassagnon. Odds are one of them will stick with the practice squad, but maybe he’s got more to offer.
