NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Saints have released aspiring cornerback Janoris Jenkins in yet another roster that has been modified to help the club get below this season’s $ 182.5 million NFL salary cap for the 2021 season.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis announced the release of Jenkins on Thursday, a day after New Orleans receiver Emmanuel Sanders and linebacker Kwon Alexander informed them that they would be dropped.
Jenkins started all 13 games he played in 2020 and scored a high equalizer for the team in three interceptions. He made 54 solo or assisted tackles and was credited with 12 defended passes.
Lowering Jenkins will lower New Orleans’ salary ceiling by about $ 7 million. The Saints still had to eliminate about $ 25 million in payroll by the time the new league year begins Wednesday.
Jenkins, who started and played in 53 games for the Giants between 2016-19, had 12 interceptions and two touchdowns during his time with Big Blue. He has 26 interceptions and eight touchdowns in his career.
He also played with the Rams for four seasons while they were in St. Louis.
These most recent Saints cuts are the latest from more than a handful of prominent veterans released, including tight ends Jared Cook and Josh Hill and punter Thomas Morstead.
The Saints are also yet to retain the services of defensive end Trey Hendrickson, the club’s 2020 pocket leader, who will become a free agent next week.