Saints release running back CJ Spiller

The New Orleans Saints have released running back C.J. Spiller, according to various media reports.

With Mark Ingram and Tim Hightower listed 1-2 on the Saints’ depth chart, Spiller was the odd man out. “Lasco is playing on all special teams, it’s really one of the challenges with six running backs on the roster”.

Spiller has been used primarily as a pass receiver than a runner in recent years. He averaged just 3.1 yards per carry on 36 attempts.

Spiller should generate interest and land elsewhere soon, but he struggled mightily last season, gaining just 351 yards from scrimmage.

Still, there seemed to be some high hope for Spiller with Payton even mentioning that the running back looked noticeably different.

Spiller’s best National Football League season was 2012, his third as a pro, when he had 1,244 yards rushing and 459 yards receiving. “I was going about my regular Tuesday recovery day when everything happened”, Spiller told Anderson. But they wound up paying him $9 million for a total of 13 games played. That’s not even three carries per game. There simply was no room on this team for Spiller, especially given his ineffectiveness. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ added Ivory this offseason after he enjoyed a career season.

The 28 year old was admitted to the hospital Sunday morning, missing the season opener against the Green Bay Packers. That should entice another team to take a chance on him.