Saints sign TE A.J. Derby, release OL Nate Wozniak

The Saints announced the signing of free agent tight end A.J. Derby. To make room on the 90-man training camp roster, new Orleans released offensive lineman Nate Wozniak.

The 27-year old Derby has played with three NFL teams (New England, Denver and most recently Miami). He will compete with Josh Hill, Garrett Griffin, Dan Arnold, Alize Mack and Jake Powell for a backup role behind starter Jared Cook.

The 6-foot-10 Wozniak is a converted tight end who the Saints signed as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

Derby was the sixth-round pick out of Arkansas by the Patriots in the 2015 NFL Draft. He has 40 career catches for 452 yards and three touchdowns.

New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton

2019 Training Camp Presented by Verizon

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Post-Practice Media Availability

With preseason on a day like today, do you do anything different when you can tell it’s this hot?
“Today obviously it felt different. I think the one thing that helps is the first 40 minutes that we get started, we are stretching in there (indoor facility, we are going through our walkthrough in there. That takes some learning. It is really not a full practice when that is happening. It’s just the beginning of practice relative to stretch, walkthrough and then you work to get acclimated. Anytime we practice after an off day, it’s always a beginning to ramp up day. It’s an alert injury day, statistically. We used to say that they’re fresh, they’re ready but if you looked at any of the studies, you see more soft tissue injuries following a day off. And so, training, no different than in any other sport, there’s peaks and valleys and so today is how long are we on the field, what are the drills we’re doing and we’re alert that what the challenges can be. Tomorrow (we will do) a little bit more and then you do the same thing and you start again. It felt different today.”

Will you be starting Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback Friday?

“We haven’t decided yet. We’ll let you know before Friday.”

How does (Teddy Bridgewater) kind of look compared to before the knee injury he suffered in 2016 and how’s he been doing for you guys?

“We were just talking about him this morning. I do not have any reference point to the injury. In other words, when we signed and traded for him, he was healthy. He had a real good preseason with the Jets. I think he’s done exceptionally well here. He is certainly going to play a lot this week. I think that a second year into what we’re doing has benefited him and he brings all those other intangibles that allow you to win that are necessary at that position.”

You guys have so many ex-Vikings all over the place. You’ve scooped up several. Anything in particular why you’re stealing all of (Mike) Zimmer’s guys?

“I think sometimes it’s coincidence. Mike and I are close friends. We worked together for three years in Dallas. There’s that old saying misery loves company and we were both challenged by (Bill) Parcells to be real good coaches. He’s a close friend, but a lot of it I think is more coincidence. Latavius (Murray) is a guy that we valued and we needed a running back, if we were to lose Mark (Ingram). Then you get to some other positions. (such as) Nick Easton’s position. A lot of it has to do with just timing.”

Speaking of Nick Easton, do you know if Cameron Tom, Nick Easton or Erik McCoy will start this Friday coming up?

“At some point we’ll list who’s going to start, but we’re going to see those guys all play.”

Emmanuel Butler, he started out training camp with a bang and then he missed some time. How encouraged are you that he’s able to get back out there before the preseason game?

“He’s real close. We’re hopeful he can play this Friday.”