Report: Saints to Sign Pro Bowl Offensive Lineman

New Orleans makes a big addition to their offensive line, per report.

ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reports on Tuesday that the New Orleans Saints have signed G Trai Turner. The news was initially confirmed by Turner's agents, Drew Rosenhsus and Ryan Matha. Turner was brought in for a visit by the Saints on Monday, per Schefter. 

Turner, 30, is a graduate of St. Augustine High School in New Orleans and played collegiately at LSU. He was third-round choice by the Carolina Panthers in the 2014 NFL Draft, where he played his first six seasons and earned five consecutive Pro Bowl trips from 2015 to 2019.

Since 2020, Turner has spent one year each with the Chargers, Steelers, and last year with Washington. Turner has missed just 20 games over his nine-year career. Seven of those came in 2020 with the Chargers. He's started 118 of his 126 game appearances, predominantly at right guard. 

The 6'3" and 315-Lb. Turner is an outstanding run blocker and agile enough to be solid in pass protection. He'll compete for an interior line spot with the Saints that includes Cesar Ruiz, Andrus Peat, Calvin Throckmorton, James Hurst, and rookie Nick Saldiveri.

Nov 14, 2022; Washington guard Trai Turner (53) blocks against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans had an open roster spot after last week's release of C/G Billy Price. Turner will add skilled depth and experience to an offensive line that has been battered by injuries in recent years. 

The often injured Peat has missed 40 games over his eight-year career, including 19 contests the last two seasons. Ruiz is coming off a foot injury that prematurely ended his 2022 campaign. Throckmorton has been a solid, but limited, fill-in at both guard spots. Saldiveri will start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list with a leg injury. Hurst is a reliable veteran, but is also used at tackle in the event of injury to Ryan Ramczyk or Trevor Penning.