Report: Saints Re-Sign Keith Kirkwood Among 3 Personnel Moves

Saints announce three roster moves early into their bye week.

Brooke Kirchhofer of Neworleans.football reports that the New Orleans Saints have signed WR Keith Kirkwood back to their active roster on Tuesday. The Saints waived RB Adam Prentice to make room for Kirkwood, per Kirchhofer.

Kirkwood, 28, was released prior to last Sunday's game at Minnesota. He's been active in seven games for New Orleans this season, pulling in one of four targets for one yard.

Undrafted out of Temple, Kirkwood made the Saints roster as a rookie in 2018. He has 20 career receptions for 258 yards and two touchdowns, with 16 catches, 228 yards, and both scores coming in four years with the Saints. Kirkwood joined the Carolina Panthers as a free agent in 2020. After two seasons with the Panthers, he'd rejoin New Orleans last season. 

Rookie sixth-round choice A.T. Perry, Lynn Bowden, and Kirkwood provide wideout depth behind Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed. Thomas left the Minnesota loss with a knee injury, with the severity to be determined this week. 

Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Keith Kirkwood (18) catches catches a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Prentice, 26, has been with New Orleans for three seasons. Mostly a blocking back, he'd appeared in six games for the Saints this season. After four weeks on injured reserve, Prentice was activated to the active roster against the Vikings. 

The Saints also officially announced that they signed edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul to their practice squad on Tuesday. A 14-year veteran, Pierre-Paul will hopefully add life to a listless pass rush. He has 94.5 career sacks, along with 167 QB hits, 127 tackles for loss, and 31 fumbles forced or recovered. 

To make room for Pierre-Paul, the Saints released DE Jordan Willis from the practice squad. If Pierre-Paul is elevated to the active roster next week, as expected, then New Orleans could add Prentice, Willis, or another player to their practice squad. However, they'll also need to move a player from their active roster in that scenario. 

New Orleans (5-5) has a bye this week. They'll next play at the Atlanta Falcons on November 26.