Deion Jones is in for a homecoming. The New Orleans Saints are signing the former LSU Tiger and Jesuit High School standout, meaning the 31-year old will have suited up for all four NFC South teams. It’s a one-year deal for the former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowler, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Jones was a pick for the second team on our All-NFC South Team of the 2010s.
A second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Jones spent six years in Atlanta while appearing in 85 games (83 starts), plus five playoff starts. He has since bounced around the league with the Cleveland Browns in 2022 before returning to the division in a deal with the Carolina Panthers back in 2023. Jones spent the last two seasons on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but didn’t start a game while logging more snaps on special teams (285) than defense (120).
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Because the Saints placed wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk on the reserve/retired list earlier this week, they don’t necessarily need to file a corresponding move to sign Jones. But more roster movement is coming. Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee hasn’t gone on injured reserve yet despite undergoing season-ending knee surgery to repair a torn ACL. Veteran edge rusher Chris Rumph II moved to a full-time linebacker role this offseason but left Thursday’s practice with an ankle injury, so Jones signing may be related to that. Stay tuned.
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ToggleLOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bryce Lance (18) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele (14) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Barion Brown (19) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (81) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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Rookie wide receiver steals the show on Day 5 of Saints training camp
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Barion Brown (19) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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After Zay Flowers deal, Chris Olave already looks like a bargain
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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Saints WR suspended for the first six games of his rookie season
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brock Rechsteiner (89) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden (84) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jalen Cropper (85) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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Updated New Orleans Saints WR corps after Ja’Lynn Polk retirement
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle John Ridgeway III (95) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) chats during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (22) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; Detailed view of the New Orleans Saints Guardian Caps training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; Detailed view of the New Orleans Saints helmet during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore looks on during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Moliki Matavao (80) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jayden Price (0) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Hunter Dekkers (7) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back CJ Donaldson (43) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Ty Chandler (32) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden (84) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
(Stephen Lew, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints kicker Tanner Brown (46) looks on during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) looks on during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) looks on during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) looks on during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) hands off to running back Travis Etienne (3) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Zach Wilson (4) hands off to running back Alvin Kamara (41) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Hunter Dekkers (7) hands off to running back Devin Neal (24) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime (30) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints special teams coordinator Phil Galiano looks on during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (24) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back CJ Donaldson (43) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive edge Mike Heldman (63) looks on during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele (14) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Jayden Price (0) looks on during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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The Athletic: NFL evaluators are bullish on Saints QB Tyler Shough
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) passes during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) passes during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) drops back to pass during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Zach Wilson (4) talks with offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints center David Edwards (76) and center Erik McCoy (78) during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Devin Neal (24) looks on during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Treyton Welch (82) looks on during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints training camp practice on Aug. 2
Aug 02, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough (6) looks on during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
(Stephen Lew, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Report: Saints sign former LSU linebacker, New Orleans native
