METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints signed veteran linebacker Mike Mohamed on Wednesday, according to a league source.
The former Houston Texans backup, who had his best NFL season with 68 tackles last year, will provide some depth at a linebacker position that has been riddled by recent injuries.
It was the latest in a flurry of moves on the back end of New Orleans’ roster this week that also included re-signing running back Tim Hightower and receiver T.J. Graham while releasing fullback Austin Johnson and safety Akeem Davis. The Saints also officially placed running back Khiry Robinson on injured reserve.
Johnson’s release was especially noteworthy since he leaves the Saints without a true fullback.
Johnson played sparingly in recent weeks after the team added a third tight end in Michael Hoomanawanui, who can moonlight as a fullback. Johnson was inactive for two of the past four games and played only on special teams this past week against the New York Giants.
Johnson, 27, earned the Saints’ top fullback job for much of the past two years after beginning his career as an undrafted linebacker with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012. Johnson spent the second half of last season on injured reserve with a knee injury.
“Austin was someone we were very familiar with and he’s been great for us. He’s a great teammate, a guy that prepares extremely hard,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “And yet we have some flexibility now with the tight ends and we are adding a few key pieces that we think can help us – and not necessarily just because of injury. I think it gives us a little bit more special-teams depth as well.”
Injuries have been a factor for the Saints at linebacker in recent weeks, though.
Veterans Dannell Ellerbe (hip) and David Hawthorne (hamstring) both missed last week’s game. Then backup Ramon Humber (unspecified) and outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha (ankle) left early with injuries during the 52-49 victory over the Giants.
Ellerbe and Hawthorne were present for the early portion of Wednesday’s practice that was open to the media. Kikaha and Humber were absent.
The Saints also brought back veteran linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar late last week to help fill that linebacker depth.
Mohamed, 27, is a fifth-year pro who began his career as a sixth-round pick with the Denver Broncos in 2011. He played sparingly in both Denver and Houston before finally emerging in a key backup role last year with 14 games played and two starts. The 6-foot-3, 238-pounder had 68 tackles, six pass defenses and an interception.
Mohamed was placed on injured reserve in September with a calf injury, however, and was eventually released.
