Saints Promoted Kevin Austin Jr. to Active Roster
The New Orleans Saints signed the wide receiver to their 53-man roster after exhausting his practice squad elevations.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Football
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The New Orleans Saints promoted wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. to the active roster on October 1. The move follows his participation in 19 career games where he recorded 25 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown.
Why it matters
The team required additional wide receiver depth following the move of Travis Etienne Jr. to the injury reserve list. Additionally, the Saints had reached their limit for practice squad elevations for Austin Jr. within the first three weeks of the season.
Kevin Austin Jr. brings a career total of 25 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown to the active 53-man roster. He previously exhausted all three available practice squad elevations within the first three weeks of play.
The players
Kevin Austin Jr.
He is an NFL wide receiver who previously spent time on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.
Mickey Loomis
He serves as the executive vice president and general manager of the New Orleans Saints.
Travis Etienne Jr.
He is a professional football player currently placed on the team injury reserve list.
David Ojabo
He is a football player who was recently signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad.
Ulysses Bentley IV
He is a football player who joined the New Orleans Saints practice squad after attending team workouts.
The details
The front office also signed David Ojabo and Ulysses Bentley IV to the practice squad following a round of workout sessions held last Thursday. The team is looking to revitalize its roster as it holds a 1-2 record heading into this week's game.
Timeline
October 1, 2026, marked the official announcement of the roster promotion by Mickey Loomis.
Thursday before October 3, the team held workout sessions to evaluate potential new signees.
This week, the Saints are scheduled to play the Atlanta Falcons.
Season Trajectory
This roster adjustment follows the NFL practice squad elevation rule, forcing the team to commit to Austin Jr. full-time as they attempt to move past early season losses. A win this week against the Falcons is critical for the Saints to return to a 2-2 record.
The Saints currently sit at a 1-2 record after losses to Detroit and Las Vegas. This promotion shifts the team's wide receiver depth chart ahead of their matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
The takeaway
Roster management is a critical factor for teams dealing with early-season injuries and depth limitations. Fans should monitor injury reports as these designations often dictate upcoming personnel changes.
Further reading
Find more updates on the team at the New Orleans Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Heavy.
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