Saints Elevate Another Highly-Rated Linebacker Ahead of Week 8 Clash with Buccaneers
By Bob Rose β Saints Wire
The New Orleans Saints have made a subtle but intriguing roster move ahead of their crucial Week 8 divisional showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. On Saturday, the team announced just one practice squad elevation: outside linebacker Eku Leota.
The decision was confirmed in the Saintsβ official personnel report, and it comes with a few surprises regarding the teamβs game-day depth chart.
Leota, 26, steps into the active roster for the second time this season. The third-year linebacker has quietly carved out a role as a versatile edge defender and special teams contributor. A product of both Northwestern and Auburn, Leota entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie with the Carolina Panthers in 2023.
Over the past two seasons, heβs gained valuable experience, appearing in 10 games for the Panthers with one start, before finishing the 2024 campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During that stretch, he tallied eight tackles, including one sack and three tackles for loss.
The Saints added Leota to their practice squad after the Steelers released him during training camp. His first appearance in black and gold came in Week 5 against the New York Giants, where he played nine special teams snaps and recorded one tackle.
This week, Leota is expected to reprise that role, adding depth to New Orleansβ special teams unit while backing up star edge rushers Cameron Jordan, Chase Young, Carl Granderson, and Chris Rumph II.
However, the bigger story might be who wasnβt elevated. Newly-acquired running back Audric EstimΓ©, a midseason pickup that generated excitement among fans, will not be activated for Sundayβs contest. Instead, the Saints are rolling with just Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal as their only true running backs against Tampa Bayβs aggressive front seven.
This decision could point to a heavier offensive workload for utility man Taysom Hill, who continues to serve as the Saintsβ offensive wildcard.
Hillβs versatility as a rusher, receiver, and short-yardage quarterback has been invaluable, and head coach Dennis Allen may lean on him even more with the limited running back depth.
The move suggests a high level of confidence in the health and conditioning of both Kamara and Neal, but it also highlights the coaching staffβs belief that special teams performance could play a key role in determining Sundayβs outcome.
Leotaβs elevation, while under the radar, underscores the Saintsβ ongoing emphasis on depth and flexibility. Against a divisional rival like Tampa Bay, every snap β from special teams to third-down defense β could make the difference.
Kickoff between the Saints (3β4) and Buccaneers (4β3) is set for Sunday afternoon in the Caesars Superdome, where New Orleans hopes to even their record and climb back into the NFC South race.
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