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Top Kirk Merritt News
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Kirk Merritt: Cut from Saints' practice squad
New Orleans cut Merritt from its practice squad Tuesday, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Merritt has played in just one of the Saints' three games in 2023, and at least for now, the team has decided to part ways with him. He's now set to become a free agent.
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Kirk Merritt: Re-signs with Saints' practice unit
New Orleans signed Merritt to its practice squad Thursday.
Just two days after being cut by the team, Merritt is back with the Saints' organization. With Jamaal Williams (hamstring) still missing from practice, it would not be surprising if New Orleans saw fit to elevate a running back for Sunday's game at Green Bay.
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Kirk Merritt: Gets cut loose
Merritt was waived by the Saints on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Merritt was a healthy inactive for the team's win over the Panthers on Monday. After spending time with New Orleans in each of the last two seasons as a receiver, the 26-year-old converted over to running back but was unable to garner a consistent role there either.
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Saints' Kirk Merritt: Won't play at Carolina
Merritt (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday's game at the Panthers.
After playing just two offensive snaps in Week 1, Merritt will be unavailable Week 2. His absence leaves Jamaal Williams and Tony Jones as the only New Orleans running backs available Monday.
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Saints' Kirk Merritt: Plays special-teams role Week 1
Merritt did not log a carry during Sunday's 16-15 win versus the Titans.
Merritt played only two of his eight total snaps on offense during New Orleans' season opener. With Alvin Kamara suspended, the Saints also elevated running back Tony Jones from the practice squad ahead of Sunday's matchup, though he also played just seven offensive snaps behind temporary No. 1 running back Jamaal Williams (49). With versatile offensive player Taysom Hill also available for occasional carries, it's likely the Saints continue to heavily rely on Williams and Merritt consequently sees minimal opportunity.
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Saints' Kirk Merritt: Nabs back-end roster spot
Merritt has a spot on the Saints' initial 53-man roster, Chris Hudgison of KAIT8 reports.
The Saints have lined him up as a running back, wide receiver and return specialist, listing him as a WR on the roster but an RB on the depth chart. A pass-catching role out of the backfield could make sense, especially with Alvin Kamara suspended for the first three games of the season and rookie Kendre Miller bothered by a hamstring injury. Jamaal Williams figures to start and get most of the backfield snaps/touches Week 1 against Tennessee, but there might also be a bit of work available for Merritt and/or Tony Jones (a recent practice-squad addition).
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Saints' Kirk Merritt: Catches one pass Monday night
Merritt (hamstring) caught one pass for eight yards on one target in the Saints' preseason win over the Chargers Monday night.
Merritt missed the Saints' preseason opener with the pulled hamstring. He played just one offensive snap against Los Angeles and two more on special teams, returning one kick for 13 yards. Merritt is entering his fourth season out of Arkansas State.
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Saints' Kirk Merritt: Unavailable for preseason opener
Merritt (hamstring) won't play in Sunday's preseason opener against the Chiefs, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
Merritt was experiencing hamstring tightness this week, so it's not surprising to see him sidelined for the exhibition. The former wideout's next chance to make his debut as a running back will come Sunday, Aug. 20 against the Chargers.
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Saints' Kirk Merritt: Battling through injury
Merritt has been experiencing hamstring tightness this week, Ross Jackson of SI.com reports.
It's not clear how much practice time Merritt has missed and if he's just been limited or has been a non-participant. The 26-year-old is working to make the 53-man roster as a running back after spending his first three NFL seasons as a wide receiver.
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Saints' Kirk Merritt: Makes positional change
Saints head coach Dennis Allen confirmed Thursday that Merritt is now a running back, Jeff Nowak of Audacy Sports reports.
The 26-year-old had caught only one pass in his three-year NFL career before converting to running back this offseason. Merritt was signed as an undrafted rookie by the Dolphins in 2020 and spent two years in Miami before heading to New Orleans in 2022. He's most likely competing for a spot on the practice squad, as he'll be behind at least Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller at running back ahead of the coming season.
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Saints' Kirk Merritt: Moved back up to active roster
The Saints have signed Merritt from their practice squad ahead of Saturday's game against the Browns.
Merritt was promoted to the active roster for each of the last two games, though he did not record a catch while playing just nine of his 35 snaps on offense during this span. The 25-year-old could be in line for increased playing time versus Atlanta after veteran wideout Jarvis Landry (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Thursday. With Chris Olave (hamstring) also ruled out for Week 16, expect Merritt to slot in as New Orleans' No. 4 wideout behind Rashid Shaheed, Tre'Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway on Saturday.
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Kirk Merritt: Reverts to practice squad
Merritt reverted to the Saints' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Merritt played nine special teams snaps in the Week 15 win over Atlanta, but he didn't see the field on offense. The 25-year-old wide receiver remains stuck on one career NFL catch.
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Saints' Kirk Merritt: Elevated to active roster
The Saints elevated Merritt from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday for Sunday's matchup against the Falcons.
Merritt has been elevated for a second straight game. He saw 26 snaps (nine offensive) during the Saints' loss to Tampa Bay in Week 13, but he didn't record any counting stats. Merritt figures to garner a similar role against Atlanta on Sunday.
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Saints' Kirk Merritt: Comes up from practice squad
The Saints elevated Merritt to the active roster ahead of Monday Night Football versus the Buccaneers, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Merritt spent the preseason with New Orleans and joined the team's practice squad after being waived in late August. The 25-year-old will now be bumped up to the active roster after the team also waived Kevin White (illness) on Monday. Merritt did see snaps as both a running back and wide receiver in training camp, though he's unlikely to see much usage barring any injuries to the Saints' starting skill players.
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Kirk Merritt: Back on Saints' practice squad
Merritt reverted back to the Saints' practice squad Tuesday, per the NFL's transaction log.
Merritt was promoted to New Orleans' active roster ahead of Monday's matchup versus the Buccaneers, accounting for his first game action of the 2022-23 campaign. The 25-year-old played 11 offensive snaps and 17 special-teams snaps but ultimately failed to record any statistics in the contest. Following Tuesday's transaction, Merritt is now slated to continue serving as added wide receiver depth for the Saints.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-1, 214 lbs |
| Birthplace: New Orleans, LA |
| Age: 27 |
| School: Arkansas St. |
| Experience: 1 |