Saints Sign J.P. Holtz

Yes, the Saints actually did sign one player on Tuesday.

Amid all the false news on whether the team signed RB Kareem Hunt and LB Anthony Barr, the New Orleans Saints actually did sign a player on Tuesday. Tight end J.P. Holtz was added back to the roster after being with the Saints for a short stint last season. 

To make room for Holtz, the Saints announced that they had waived offensive lineman Koda Martin on Wednesday. John Hendrix of the Saints News Network reports that Holtz wore Number 86 at practice on Wednesday after wearing 88 last season. Rookie WR Shaq Davis currently wears 88.

Holtz, who turns 30 on August 28, enters his eighth NFL season. He was signed as an undrafted rookie out of Pitt by the Cleveland Browns in 2016. After spending two years on their practice squad with no game appearances, he was picked up by the Washington Redskins in 2018.

Holtz spent nearly all of 2018 on Washington's practice squad and saw action in one game at the beginning of 2019. He'd be signed off their practice squad by the Chicago Bears, where he'd remain for the next three seasons. In 43 games for the Bears between 2019 and 2021, Holtz made eight starts and caught seven passes for 91 yards.

Saints TE Jimmy Graham and Holtz were teammates in 2020 and 2021 with the Bears. During Chicago's 21-9 loss to New Orleans in a 2021 Wild-Card game, Holtz played three offensive snaps and 12 more on special teams. 

New Orleans signed Holtz during the 2022 offseason. He'd appear in six games for the Saints, spending the remainder of the campaign on the team's practice squad. Holtz played 85 offensive snaps and 42 more on special teams, but did not record a catch or tackle.

Oct 20, 2022; New Orleans Saints tight end J.P. Holtz (88) against the Arizona Cardinals. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The 6'3" and 246-Lb. Holtz adds little as a receiver, but is valued for his blocking. New Orleans also used him as a fullback in some alignments in addition to an in-line tight end in short yardage packages. 

Holtz was brought in to bolster depth at a tight end position that's lost Jesse James (groin) and Lucas Krull (tailbone) in recent days.

Neither injury is thought to be serious, so Holtz will likely compete with Krull and James for a potential spot behind Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, and Graham on the depth chart. He could also get some looks at fullback, where he'll compete with returning starter Adam Prentice.