Saints claim defensive tackle Colby Wooden and offensive tackle Mason Murphy off waivers

Saints add line depth via waivers

The New Orleans Saints claimed defensive tackle Colby Wooden and offensive tackle Mason Murphy off waivers, adding reinforcements to both sides of the line of scrimmage. The moves were reported by NBC Sports as occurring on Monday, while the Baton Rouge Advocate reported the claims were processed on Tuesday.

Wooden, a former Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman, was acquired by the Colts in a trade with the Green Bay Packers during the offseason, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate. NBC Sports reported that the trade sent Wooden to Indianapolis in exchange for linebacker Zaire Franklin in March. Wooden failed to make it through cutdown day with the Colts, as reported by NBC Sports, and his release came as something of a surprise in Indianapolis, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate.

Murphy, a former Chicago Bears offensive tackle, signed with the Bears after going undrafted this year, as reported by both outlets. He played college football at Auburn, where he started 12 games last season, splitting time between right tackle and center, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate. NBC Sports added that Murphy started games at right tackle and center for Auburn last year and made 22 starts during four seasons at USC.

Player backgrounds

Wooden was selected by the Packers in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Auburn, according to both outlets. He appeared in all but four games of his first three seasons with Green Bay and started 16 of 17 games last season, as reported by the Baton Rouge Advocate. NBC Sports also noted that Wooden started 16 games for Green Bay last year. The Baton Rouge Advocate added that Wooden recorded 50 tackles and six tackles for loss with the Packers last season, both career highs.

Murphy gives the Saints additional depth on the offensive line, according to the Baton Rouge Advocate, which noted that New Orleans kept only three backup players on the initial 53-man roster. The Advocate also reported that Murphy was teammates with Saints draft pick Jeremiah Wright at Auburn.

Roster implications

The Saints will have to make two corresponding moves to process the waiver claims, as reported by the Baton Rouge Advocate. None of the 15 players the Saints waived on Sunday were claimed by another team, meaning the Saints are free to sign any of them back with the practice squad, according to the same report.