METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints signed third-year tight end Orson Charles to their practice squad Tuesday to replace undrafted rookie Nic Jacobs, who was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ active roster.
Charles, 23, was a fourth-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2012. The 6-foot-3, 254-pounder spent two seasons in Cincinnati with a total of nine catches for 109 yards.
Jacobs, who spent time at both LSU and McNeese State in college, impressed this summer as a big, physical presence who was especially strong as a blocker.
It’s unclear if the Saints will need to add another tight end to their active roster this week. Backup Benjamin Watson left last Sunday’s game early with an undisclosed injury but called it a “minor setback” on Twitter.
Tuesday workouts: The Saints also worked out veteran defensive backs Derek Cox and Brandon Ghee and veteran guard/centers Eric Olsen, Lemuel Jeanpierre and Alex Parsons on Tuesday, according to ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates. Such workouts are routine as teams like the Saints like to keep their “ready lists” updated. So it doesn’t necessarily mean any transactions are imminent -- though the Saints are down a man at center while Jonathan Goodwin recovers from a high ankle sprain.
Power rankings: The Saints (1-2) moved up just one spot in ESPN’s power rankings to No. 15 after their first victory of the season.
Cowboy drama: Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne, who was the sixth pick in the draft out of LSU in 2012, reportedly stormed out of the team’s facility when told he won’t be starting this Sunday night against the Saints.
To follow all the Cowboys news this week, check out ESPN's Cowboys team page. And follow Cowboys reporter Todd Archer on Twitter @ToddArcher.
Worth noting:
Despite their 1-2 record, the Saints lead the NFL with an offensive efficiency rating of 42.7, according to ESPN Stats and Information.
Quarterback Drew Brees is 8-of-9 this season when targeting tight end Jimmy Graham on third downs -- with all eight completions going for first downs, according to ESPN Stats and Info.
If Goodwin can’t play Sunday, it will snap his streak of 89 consecutive games started with the Saints and San Francisco 49ers. It’s the second longest active streak in the NFL among centers and the sixth longest among all offensive linemen.
Saints receiver Brandin Cooks turns 21 this week. According to The Times-Picayune, the rookie is on pace to shatter NFL records for players who entered the league at age 20.
The Saints moved above .500 all-time in the Superdome with last Sunday’s 20-9 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, as The Advocate pointed out. It’s the first time they’ve been above .500 in the Dome since they started 2-1 when it opened in 1975.