The New Orleans Saints signed veteran tight end Tom Crabtree on Tuesday -- a move which adds to the uncertainty over Jimmy Graham's health status. The Saints worked out both Crabtree and veteran tight end Kellen Davis on Tuesday, among several workouts happening at several positions.
To make room on the roster, the Saints officially placed safety Jairus Byrd on injured reserve.
Graham left this past Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a shoulder injury, but it’s unclear if he’s expected to miss any more time following the Saints’ Week 6 bye.
Graham was originally able to stay in the game for two more series before coach Sean Payton said the team decided to take him in for X-rays and play it “smart” by keeping him out for the remainder of the game. The NFL Network later reported via a source that the Saints didn’t initially believe it was a major injury. But that has not been confirmed, and Payton declined to comment on Graham’s status Monday.
The Saints had only two other tight ends on the active roster -- Benjamin Watson and Josh Hill.
Crabtree (6-foot-4, 245 pounds) is a fifth-year veteran who spent the bulk of his career with the Green Bay Packers from 2009-2012 before playing seven games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. He began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009.
Crabtree was a core special teams player for the Packers, but also chipped in as an underrated receiver. Crabtree has 25 career catches for 341 yards and six touchdowns, including the playoffs.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates, the Saints also worked out defensive end Edgar Jones and linebackers Moise Fokou, Paul Hazel and Lawrence Sidbury on Tuesday.
