Saints waive Devin Neal and Michael Heldman with injury settlements

The New Orleans Saints reached injury settlements with running back Devin Neal and defensive end Michael Heldman on September 3, 2026, resulting in both players being placed on waivers. These agreements allow the team to move on from players not expected to make the final roster while providing compensation for the time they were projected to miss due to injury. By executing these settlements, the club gains salary cap space and avoids utilizing resources on injured personnel. Devin Neal struggled with a hamstring issue during the preseason, while Michael Heldman was sidelined for the year with an injury despite showing potential as a pass rusher. Under NFL rules, the Saints may be eligible to re-sign both players after the settlement period concludes plus an additional three-week waiting period. If the team does not bring them back, the personnel moves represent a final exit for both players.

• 9:58 PMYahoo Sports — Saints surprisingly waive two players with injury settlements