The Jacksonville Jaguars and the New Orleans Saints made a deal involving the trenches Sunday night time, with Jacksonville sending offensive lineman Luke Fortner to the Huge Simple for defensive lineman Khalen Saunders, per NFL Community. The swap got here hours after the groups tied their preseason recreation 17-17.
Saunders, 29, gained two Tremendous Bowls with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, who chosen him out of Western Illinois within the third spherical of the 2019 draft. After 4 years in Kansas Metropolis, he spent two seasons in New Orleans, the place he produced the most effective highlights of 2024: a 37-yard interception return in opposition to his former staff.
Saunders, who weighs 324 kilos, pulled off the longest interception return by a participant 300 kilos or extra since Shaun Rogers’ 66-yard return in 2007.
Saunders began all 17 video games for the Saints in 2023 after which appeared in 13 video games (with 10 begins) final 12 months. He recorded 37 tackles and a pair of sacks along with the interception in 2024.
Fortner, 27, was a third-round choose of Jacksonville in 2022. The Kentucky product began all 17 video games every of his first two seasons however didn’t begin a single recreation final 12 months after the staff introduced in veteran Mitch Morse. This offseason, the Jaguars introduced in heart Robert Hainsey, who was with new coach Liam Coen with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Saints have been in want of some offensive line depth after dropping Will Clapp to a season-ending harm. Clapp was anticipated to be a key reserve on the inside of the road, significantly as the backup to Professional Bowl heart Erik McCoy.
