Kevin Austin Jr. - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Draws nine targets in Week 18 loss Austin caught four of nine targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Falcons.

Impact With Chris Olave (blood clots) out for the regular-season finale, Austin filled the role of WR1 for Tyler Shough and drew a team-high nine targets. Austin ended up appearing in eight games for the Saints this season and finished with 13 catches for 140 yards and his first career touchdown. The 25-year-old is under contract through the 2026 campaign but likely won't be guaranteed a roster spot next summer.

JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Top target in Week 18 loss Austin compiled four receptions (on nine targets) for 37 yards during Sunday's 19-17 defeat versus the Falcons.

Impact Austin led the Saints in targets with No. 1 wide receiver Chris Olave (illness) inactive. The second-year wideout tallied four more than the next closest trio of pass-catchers in Dante Pettis, Audric Estime and Juwan Johnson. This caps off a solid close to the season for Austin, as he stepped up in this injury-riddled wide receiver room, totaling 13 catches (on 22 targets) for 140 yards and one touchdown. After two seasons spent between New Orleans' practice squad and active roster, Austin has now accumulated 291 receiving yards in 16 career regular-season appearances.

JANUARY 5 • ROTOWIRE

Falcons beat Saints 19-17 to hand division title to Panthers. Atlanta fires coach and GM hours later

Dee Alford’s red-zone interception stopped a potential go-ahead drive by New Orleans, and the Atlanta Falcons beat the Saints 19-17 to give the NFC South title to the Carolina Pant...

JANUARY 4 • Associated Press

Kevin Austin Jr. hauls in 15-yard slant from Shough | Saints-Falcons Highlights | 2025 NFL Week 18 New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. makes a clean grab on a 15-yard slant from Tyler Shough, moving the chains against the Fal...

JANUARY 4 • NEWORLEANSSAINTS.COM

Stepping into key role Week 18 Austin is positioned as one of New Orleans' top starting wideouts for Sunday's season finale against the Falcons with Chris Olave (illness) ruled out for Week 18.

Impact Austin has already played more than 80 percent of offensive snaps in back-to-back games, in which span he's secured six of eight targets for 70 yards and one score. He saw those expanded opportunities due to the absence of Mason Tipton (groin), who has since been placed on IR. With Olave now also out Week 18 due a blood clot in his lung, Austin appears positioned as the No. 1 wideout for a receiving corps that also includes Dante Pettis and practice-squad players Ronnie Bell and Samori Toure. Austin will work to make the most of his elevated opportunity versus Atlanta and continue demonstrating chemistry with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Solid production in Week 17 win Austin brought in four of five targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' 34-26 win over the Titans on Sunday.

Impact Austin continued to fill an elevated role with Mason Tipton (groin) sidelined, and the second-year wideout provided season-best catch and receiving yardage totals while also equaling his season high in targets. The Notre Dame product has multiple receptions in three consecutive games heading into the Week 18 finale on the road against the Falcons.

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tyler Shough rallies the Saints with a big second half to beat the Titans 34-26

Tyler Shough threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Austin Jr. with 6:22 left to put New Orleans Saints ahead to stay as they rallied from a 13-point deficit to beat the Tennessee...

DECEMBER 28, 2025 • Associated Press

Shough back-shoulder bullseye to Kevin Austin for first NFL TD | Saints-Titans Highlights | 2025 NFL Week 17 New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. grabs his first NFL touchdown on a 10-yard back-shoulder bullseye from quarterback Tyler S...

DECEMBER 28, 2025 • NEWORLEANSSAINTS.COM

Snags two passes Week 16 Austin posted two receptions (on three targets) for 18 yards during Sunday's 29-6 win over the Jets.

Impact Austin served as the Saints' No. 3 wideout after being signed to the active roster Thursday. The second-year undrafted receiver was added for depth after Devaughn Vele (shoulder) was placed on IR, and while Dante Pettis was still considered questionable to play with an illness. Pettis ended up playing, but he logged just one target. Meanwhile, the Saints were led in targets by WR1 Chris Olave (16), TE1 Juwan Johnson (nine), Taysom Hill (six) and Mason Tipton (five). Austin will likely serve as the Saints' WR3/WR4 over the final two weeks of the regular season, but his production should be pretty limited.

DECEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Signed to active roster The Saints signed Austin from the practice squad to the active roster Thursday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact Austin has bounced between the Saints' active roster and practice squad all season, playing in five games for the franchise. The wide receiver has accumulated three receptions for 33 yards on six targets so far in the 2025 campaign. With Devaughn Vele (shoulder) ruled out and Dante Pettis (illness) listed as questionable, Austin is set to take on a role as the No. 3 wide receiver behind Chris Olave and Mason Tipton for Sunday's game against the Jets.

DECEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back to practice squad Austin reverted to the Saints' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Austin played a season-high 38 percent of the offensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Panthers, catching three of five targets for 33 yards. With Devaughn Vele going down with a shoulder injury against Carolina, Austin could be in line for an elevated Week 16 role against the Jets.

DECEMBER 16, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Tyler Shough zips 18-yard strike over the middle to Kevin Austin Jr. | Saints-Panthers Highlights | 2025 NFL Week 15 New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough rips it to wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. for a 18-yard catch and run into Carolina Panthers ter...

DECEMBER 15, 2025 • NEWORLEANSSAINTS.COM

Joins active roster Week 15 The Saints elevated Austin from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact Austin has bounced back and forth between the Saints' practice squad and active roster this season, and this will be his second straight practice-squad elevation. The 25-year-old tallied two offensive snaps and five special-teams snaps during last week's win over Tampa Bay, and it's unlikely he'll see much action while once again operating as the fifth wideout behind Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, Mason Tipton and Dante Pettis. Austin has logged just one target across four appearances this season. He is eligible to be elevated from New Orleans' practice squad to the active roster one more time for the remainder of this season.

DECEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Makes way back to practice squad New Orleans reverted Austin to its practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact After being cut Dec. 2, Austin signed to the Saints' practice squad Thursday. He was then elevated for Sunday's win over Tampa Bay and logged two offensive snaps along with five special-teams snaps without recording any stats. Austin has yet to catch a pass through four games this season, so he's unlikely to be a viable fantasy asset for games in which he's active.

DECEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated to active roster The Saints elevated Austin from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game versus Tampa Bay.

Impact Austin will be elevated for the third straight week and should continue to serve as a depth receiver and special teamer. This is the final time this season that New Orleans can elevate the 25-year-old and will need to sign him to the active roster in order for Austin to appear in another game.

DECEMBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Signs to practice squad again The Saints signed Austin to the practice squad Thursday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact Austin appeared on the Saints' active roster for both Weeks 12 and 13, where he recorded a total of 15 snaps on offense and five on special teams. The 25-year-old was waived by the Saints on Tuesday, but he will reprise his role on New Orleans' practice squad.

DECEMBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cut by New Orleans The Saints waived Austin on Tuesday.

Impact Austin has appeared in three games for New Orleans this season but failed to catch his lone target across 37 offensive snaps. He could be a candidate to return to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

DECEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Joins active roster Austin signed with the Saints' active roster Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The Notre Dame product joined the Saints' practice squad in late September and has now been signed to the active roster. Austin appeared in New Orleans' Week 3 loss to the Seahawks, playing 22 offensive snaps but failing to catch his lone target. In a corresponding move, the Saints and Brandin Cooks mutually parted ways Wednesday.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back to NOLA on practice squad The Saints signed Austin to the practice squad Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Austin was signed to the Saints' active roster Saturday after starting the regular season on the practice squad. He played 22 snaps on offense during Sunday's 44-13 loss to the Seahawks and was cut by the Saints on Monday, but he'll remain in New Orleans and reprise his role on the team's practice squad. Austin is a candidate to be elevated for the Saints' Week 4 clash against the Bills on Sunday if Devaughn Vele (hip) or Trey Palmer (hamstring) were unable to play.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cut by New Orleans The Saints waived Austin on Monday, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact Austin was signed to the Saints' active roster Saturday after starting the regular season on the team's practice squad. He played 22 offensive snaps during New Orleans' 44-13 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday and failed to haul in his lone target. Austin will have the opportunity to explore his next options if he clears waivers, but he could opt to stay in New Orleans as a member of the practice squad.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated to active roster The Saints elevated Austin from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Impact Austin couldn't crack the Saints' final roster, but he has been on the practice squad since. Both Deavuaghn Vele (hip) and Trey Palmer (hamstring) are questionable, which could pave the way for Austin to be active for the first time this season Sunday against the Seahawks.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Back with New Orleans The Saints signed Austin to the practice squad Wednesday, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact Austin logged 305 offensive snaps with the Saints in 2024 after beginning the season on the practice squad. He could have a similar trajectory in 2025, though New Orleans recently added Devaughn Vele and Trey Palmer to bolster their receiver depth chart.

AUGUST 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Let go by Saints New Orleans cut Austin on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Austin is among a slew of players the Saints will part ways with Tuesday en route to a final 53-man roster. The fourth-year pro appeared in eight regular-season games with New Orleans in 2024, securing 11 of 22 targets for 151 yards.

AUGUST 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Saints coach Kellen Moore says his QB decision will be 'challenging' after 28-19 loss to the Broncos

Bo Nix passed for 110 yards and a touchdown to Courtland Sutton in three possessions, and the Denver Broncos defeated the New Orleans Saints 28-19 in both clubs’ preseason finale

AUGUST 23, 2025 • Associated Press

Sees five targets Sunday Austin caught four of five targets for 42 yards during Sunday's 27-13 preseason loss to the Chargers.

Impact Austin hauled in passes from all three quarterbacks who played for the Saints on Sunday, including Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough and Jake Haener. The fourth-year wideout finished second on the team in targets and receiving yards behind Dante Pettis (six) and Mason Tipton (54), respectively. Austin is competing with Pettis and Tipton for the Saints' final wide receiver spot this preseason. Tipton had the biggest highlight play with a 54-yard touchdown reception, but none of these three seemed to separate themselves in this competition during Sunday's preseason opener. Their next opportunity will come versus the Jaguars on Sunday, Aug. 17.

AUGUST 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Falcons beat Saints 19-17 to hand division title to Panthers. Atlanta fires coach and GM hours later

Tyler Shough rallies the Saints with a big second half to beat the Titans 34-26

Saints coach Kellen Moore says his QB decision will be 'challenging' after 28-19 loss to the Broncos