Cap constraints could limit Saints in free agency
Most of the New Orleans Saints' free agent signings this offseason are expected to be role players and backups because of the club's financial constraintsMARCH 12, 2021 • Associated Press
BENNIE FOWLER III
Undergoes surgery Fowler underwent shoulder surgery Monday to repair his labrum and rotator cuff, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Impact Fowler was placed on IR and will miss at least three weeks, but he could return after the minimum time required. The 29-year-old wideout is often buried on the depth chart, but with Michael Thomas (hamstring) and Emmanuel Sanders (COVID) sitting out Week 7 against the Panthers, Deonte Harris, Marquez Callaway and Austin Carr could all see boosts in usage for the time being.
OCTOBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Saints' Sanders on COVID reserve, Thomas out with hamstring
New Orleans Saints receiver Emmanuel Sanders has tested positive for COVID-19 and fellow receiver Michael Thomas will miss his fifth straight game on Sunday against Carolina becaus...OCTOBER 23, 2020 • Associated Press
Placed on IR Fowler (shoulder) was placed on IR on Friday, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.
Impact Fowler will have to miss at least three weeks following this move, so the earliest he could return would be Week 10 against the 49ers. He has two catches for 11 yards this season, with all of that production coming against the Chargers in Week 6.
OCTOBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Can't practice Wednesday Fowler (shoulder) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice.
Impact The Saints just returned from a Week 6 bye, so Fowler may have picked up this injury during a Week 5 win over the Chargers. Missing the first practice of the week puts him in danger of sitting out this Sunday against the Panthers, but he still has two practices to upgrade his status.
OCTOBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
First receptions of season Fowler corralled two of six targets for 11 yards in Monday night's 30-27 overtime win against the Chargers.
Impact The receptions were Fowler's first of the season, as he took advantage of absences ahead of him on the depth chart in Michael Thomas (ankle/disciplinary) and Deonte Harris (hamstring). With Thomas likely to take the field again for Week 6, Fowler is unlikely to see meaningful playing time.
OCTOBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Brought up to active roster The Saints promoted Fowler to the active roster Saturday, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.
Impact With Michael Thomas (ankle) still sitting out, Fowler was brought up for a third consecutive game. He's totaled just 11 offensive snaps through the first two contests and hasn't been targeted, so he should be off fantasy radars at this time.
SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Descends to practice squad Fowler reverted to the Saints' practice squad Tuesday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Impact Fowler logged just four offensive snaps in Week 2. He'll shift back to the practice squad and await a possible promotion before Week 3's matchup versus the Packers.
SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Raiders down top 2 right tackles for game vs. Saints
The Las Vegas Raiders are without their top two right tackles against the New Orleans SaintsSEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • Associated Press
Promoted for Monday Fowler was elevated to the Saints' active roster from the practice squad Monday, Field Yates of ESPN reports.
Impact The 29-year-old served an extra player in the season opener before reverting back to the practice squad, and he'll do so again in Week 2. Fowler wasn't targeted on seven offensive snaps last week, though the absence of Michael Thomas (ankle) could lead to some more opportunities.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Saints starting receivers Thomas, Sanders miss practice
Saints starting receivers Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders have missed practice as New Orleans prepares for a Week 2 tilt against the Raiders in Las VegasSEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • Associated Press
Heads back to practice squad Fowler reverted to the Saints' practice squad.
Impact Fowler logged seven offensive snaps in Week 1's win over Tampa Bay but didn't receive a target. His stint on the practice squad may be shortlived, as Michael Thomas (ankle) is expected to miss multiple games.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
NFL Today, Week 1
NFL Today, Week 1SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • Associated Press
On active roster for Week 1 Fowler was promoted to the active roster Saturday, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Impact Fowler was released toward the end of camp but received praise throughout practice. He rejoined the team as a member of the practice squad, but he now has a chance to be active for its Week 1 matchup against the Buccaneers.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Draws praise from Brees Fowler has earned high marks from Drew Brees and earned a spot at camp thanks to the quarterback, Amie Just of Nola.com reports.
Impact According to Fowler, he tagged along with Emmanuel Sanders for a workout and impressed Brees enough to get a contract with New Orleans on Brees' recommendation. The QB gushed about Fowler in recent comments. "He's a guy who came in as an undrafted free agent so we say that he came in the hard way, right?" Brees said. "He's had to earn it each and every year. He's had to play a ton of special teams. So, to me, those guys are just football players. Whatever you need them to do, they're willing to step in and do it, and, at times, that's the dirty work." Despite the glowing words from Brees and relationship with Sanders from his time in Denver, Fowler won't be guaranteed a roster spot. He'll have to earn it over the next couple of weeks.
AUGUST 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
