Saints release RB Latavius Murray
 

[September 08, 2021]   The New Orleans Saints released running back Latavius Murray and signed cornerback Desmond Trufant on Tuesday.

ESPN reported that the Saints asked Murray to take a pay cut, and he declined. Murray, 31, signed a four-year, $14.4 million contract with the Saints in 2019.

As the Saints' change-of-pace back behind Alvin Kamara, Murray rushed for 656 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games in 2020, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. He added 176 receiving yards and one touchdown catch.

In his seven-year career with the then-Oakland Raiders (2014-16), Minnesota Vikings (2017-18) and Saints (2019-20), Murray has totaled 4,991 rushing yards and 43 rushing touchdowns.

Trufant, who turns 31 on Friday, was a free agent after being recently released by the Chicago Bears.

Trufant spent the 2020 season with the Detroit Lions. He recorded one interception, one sack and 20 tackles in six games, all starts.

Before that, he played his first seven NFL seasons for the Saints' division rivals, the Atlanta Falcons. He has 14 career interceptions and seven fumble recoveries (two returned for touchdowns) in 103 games.

New Orleans opens the season Sunday against the Green Bay Packers in Jacksonville, Fla.

--Field Level Media

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