When running back C.J. Spiller signed with the Saints as a free agent, there was a lot of talk about him getting back to being an explosive playmaker in the New Orleans offense.
It never turned into much more than talk, however. Spiller had a procedure on his knee during training camp, missed the first week of the regular season and was an afterthought from that point forward. His season ended on Wednesday with a trip to injured reserve a few days after he was inactive against the Jaguars.
Coach Sean Payton explained the decision to sit Spiller last Sunday as having to do with the knee issues from the summer, although Spiller maintained during the season that all was OK physically. His 36 carries for 112 yards and 34 catches for 239 yards don’t do much to support that argument.
Now the Saints will have to decide if Spiller will return to try again. He signed a four-year, $16 million contract and they can save $3.25 million under the cap by making him a post-June 1 cut.
Tight end RaShaun Allen was added to the roster.