Linebackers have been dropping like flies in New Orleans, which caused the team to make a move to shore up the position on Monday.
The Saints announced that they have acquired linebacker Barrett Ruud in a trade with the Seahawks. New Orleans gives up a future undisclosed draft pick in the deal. Ruud signed with Seattle in April, but became expendable after the arrival of Bobby Wagner in the draft.
He started nine games at middle linebacker with the Titans last season before a groin injury ended his season and he’s very familiar with the Saints after spending six years doing the same job in Tampa. With Curtis Lofton out with a high ankle sprain, Ruud should battle with Ramon Humber for time in the middle over the rest of camp.
If Lofton winds up missing the season opener, Ruud would stand a good chance of starting because Humber will have to serve a three-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Lofton and projected weak side starter David Hawthorne, who had surgery after he tore his meniscus, look like they’ll be out for the rest of the preseason and the Saints lost Chris Chamberlain to a torn ACL over the weekend as well. Throw in the suspensions to Lawrence Wilson and Jonathan Vilma and you’ve got a group in need of some help heading into Week One.