KEVIN AUSTIN JR. NEWS

Tyler Shough zips 18-yard strike over the middle to Kevin Austin Jr. | Saints-Panthers Highlights | 2025 NFL Week 15 New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough rips it to wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. for a 18-yard catch and run into Carolina Panthers ter...

19 HOURS AGO • NEWORLEANSSAINTS.COM

Joins active roster Week 15 The Saints elevated Austin from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game against the Panthers, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact Austin has bounced back and forth between the Saints' practice squad and active roster this season, and this will be his second straight practice-squad elevation. The 25-year-old tallied two offensive snaps and five special-teams snaps during last week's win over Tampa Bay, and it's unlikely he'll see much action while once again operating as the fifth wideout behind Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, Mason Tipton and Dante Pettis. Austin has logged just one target across four appearances this season. He is eligible to be elevated from New Orleans' practice squad to the active roster one more time for the remainder of this season.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Makes way back to practice squad New Orleans reverted Austin to its practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact After being cut Dec. 2, Austin signed to the Saints' practice squad Thursday. He was then elevated for Sunday's win over Tampa Bay and logged two offensive snaps along with five special-teams snaps without recording any stats. Austin has yet to catch a pass through four games this season, so he's unlikely to be a viable fantasy asset for games in which he's active.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Elevated to active roster The Saints elevated Austin from their practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game versus Tampa Bay.

Impact Austin will be elevated for the third straight week and should continue to serve as a depth receiver and special teamer. This is the final time this season that New Orleans can elevate the 25-year-old and will need to sign him to the active roster in order for Austin to appear in another game.

DECEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Signs to practice squad again The Saints signed Austin to the practice squad Thursday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact Austin appeared on the Saints' active roster for both Weeks 12 and 13, where he recorded a total of 15 snaps on offense and five on special teams. The 25-year-old was waived by the Saints on Tuesday, but he will reprise his role on New Orleans' practice squad.

DECEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Cut by New Orleans The Saints waived Austin on Tuesday.

Impact Austin has appeared in three games for New Orleans this season but failed to catch his lone target across 37 offensive snaps. He could be a candidate to return to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

DECEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Joins active roster Austin signed with the Saints' active roster Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Impact The Notre Dame product joined the Saints' practice squad in late September and has now been signed to the active roster. Austin appeared in New Orleans' Week 3 loss to the Seahawks, playing 22 offensive snaps but failing to catch his lone target. In a corresponding move, the Saints and Brandin Cooks mutually parted ways Wednesday.

NOVEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Back to NOLA on practice squad The Saints signed Austin to the practice squad Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Impact Austin was signed to the Saints' active roster Saturday after starting the regular season on the practice squad. He played 22 snaps on offense during Sunday's 44-13 loss to the Seahawks and was cut by the Saints on Monday, but he'll remain in New Orleans and reprise his role on the team's practice squad. Austin is a candidate to be elevated for the Saints' Week 4 clash against the Bills on Sunday if Devaughn Vele (hip) or Trey Palmer (hamstring) were unable to play.

SEPTEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Cut by New Orleans The Saints waived Austin on Monday, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact Austin was signed to the Saints' active roster Saturday after starting the regular season on the team's practice squad. He played 22 offensive snaps during New Orleans' 44-13 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday and failed to haul in his lone target. Austin will have the opportunity to explore his next options if he clears waivers, but he could opt to stay in New Orleans as a member of the practice squad.

SEPTEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated to active roster The Saints elevated Austin from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Impact Austin couldn't crack the Saints' final roster, but he has been on the practice squad since. Both Deavuaghn Vele (hip) and Trey Palmer (hamstring) are questionable, which could pave the way for Austin to be active for the first time this season Sunday against the Seahawks.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Back with New Orleans The Saints signed Austin to the practice squad Wednesday, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact Austin logged 305 offensive snaps with the Saints in 2024 after beginning the season on the practice squad. He could have a similar trajectory in 2025, though New Orleans recently added Devaughn Vele and Trey Palmer to bolster their receiver depth chart.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

Let go by Saints New Orleans cut Austin on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Austin is among a slew of players the Saints will part ways with Tuesday en route to a final 53-man roster. The fourth-year pro appeared in eight regular-season games with New Orleans in 2024, securing 11 of 22 targets for 151 yards.

AUGUST 26 • ROTOWIRE

Saints coach Kellen Moore says his QB decision will be 'challenging' after 28-19 loss to the Broncos

Bo Nix passed for 110 yards and a touchdown to Courtland Sutton in three possessions, and the Denver Broncos defeated the New Orleans Saints 28-19 in both clubs’ preseason finale

AUGUST 23 • Associated Press

Sees five targets Sunday Austin caught four of five targets for 42 yards during Sunday's 27-13 preseason loss to the Chargers.

Impact Austin hauled in passes from all three quarterbacks who played for the Saints on Sunday, including Spencer Rattler, Tyler Shough and Jake Haener. The fourth-year wideout finished second on the team in targets and receiving yards behind Dante Pettis (six) and Mason Tipton (54), respectively. Austin is competing with Pettis and Tipton for the Saints' final wide receiver spot this preseason. Tipton had the biggest highlight play with a 54-yard touchdown reception, but none of these three seemed to separate themselves in this competition during Sunday's preseason opener. Their next opportunity will come versus the Jaguars on Sunday, Aug. 17.

AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE

Plays eight games in 2024 Austin collected 11 of 22 targets for 151 yards across eight regular-season appearances for the Saints in 2024.

Impact Austin started the regular season on New Orleans' practice squad and didn't see the field until being called into action Week 10. He went on to play in the final eight games of the regular season, as the Saints' receiving corps was extremely depleted while wideouts Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) were sidelined for the final nine and 11 games of the season, respectively. Austin played at least half of offensive snaps in all but one of his eight appearances, but he never logged more than three receptions in any of these contests. Instead, wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling and tight ends Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau (knee) all commanded more targets than Austin over this stretch. Austin is slated to become an exclusive rights free agent following the 2025 season.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Spencer Rattler floats 23-yard pass to Kevin Austin Jr. to enter red zone | Saints-Raiders Highlights | 2024 NFL Week 17 New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler floats the 23-yard pass to wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. to enter the red zone against the L...

DECEMBER 29, 2024 • NEWORLEANSSAINTS.COM

Unable to cash in on five targets Austin logged 44 of the Saints' 68 snaps on offense and recorded one catch for five yards on five targets in Sunday's 14-11 win over the Giants.

Impact Austin has handled snap shares north of 60 percent in each of the Saints' last three games, essentially making him the team's No. 2 wideout during that time. Despite seeing steady playing time, Austin hasn't made much of an imprint on the box score, producing a 5-54-0 receiving line on 10 targets to go with nine rushing yards during that stretch.

DECEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Signed to Saints' active roster New Orleans Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana Austin from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday.

Impact Austin had been elevated from the practice squad for the Saints' last three games due to multiple injuries to the wide receiver corps. Over that span, Austin caught six passes (on seven targets) for 85 yards, and he saw his snap count on offense steadily increase. Austin will likely be on the field in three-wideout sets alongside Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Cedrick Wilson for Sunday's game against the Giants.

DECEMBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Goes back to practice squad Austin reverted to the Saints' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Due to injury woes in New Orleans' receiving corps, Austin has been a regular in the offense the past three games, including Sunday's 21-14 loss to the Rams, when he hauled in all three targets for 31 yards and recorded a nine-yard carry. He also ranked second in snaps (43 of 70) among the team's healthy wide receivers behind Marquez Valdes-Scantling (53, 2-36-1 line on three targets). Considering the Saints have used the maximum three elevations on Austin, he'll need to be signed to the active roster in order to play this coming Sunday at the Giants.

DECEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Austin Jr. on opportunity, Marquez Valdes-Scantling 12/2/2024 New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. speaks with the media on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024 at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center the...

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • NEWORLEANSSAINTS.COM

Elevated for Week 13 The Saints elevated Austin from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact It's the third and final time the Saints are allowed to elevate Austin from the practice squad this season. The 24-year-old wideout played in the two games prior to the Saints' Week 12 bye, catching three passes on four targets for 54 yards over that span.

DECEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Reverts Monday Austin reverted to the Saints' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Impact Austin appeared in his second consecutive game in the Saint's Week 11 win over the Browns, catching one of his two targets for 18 yards while playing 43 total snaps (39 offensive and four on special teams). The Notre Dame product played behind just Cedrick Wilson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling on Sunday, and he's expected to be elevated to the Saints' active roster again for the Week 13 matchup against Rams.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated from practice squad New Orleans elevated Austin from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Impact It's the second straight week that Austin has been elevated from the practice squad. He played 29 snaps (25 on offense, four on special teams) in Week 10 against Atlanta, during which he caught all two of his targets for 36 yards. Austin could see similar usage against the Browns on Sunday if Cedrick Wilson (shoulder) is unable to play.

NOVEMBER 17, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Reverts to practice squad Austin reverted to the Saints' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Impact The wide receiver played on 26 offensive snaps and caught two passes for 36 yards in the Saints' 20-17 win over the Falcons on Sunday. Austin also played four snaps on special teams in his first NFL regular-season appearance. With New Orleans' wide receiving corps decimated by injuries, only Mason Tipton and Marquez Valdes-Scantling played on more offensive snaps than Austin in the game, but Cedrick Wilson (shoulder) may be available to return next week.

NOVEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Austin Jr.'s second reception goes for 22 yards | Saints-Falcons Highlights | 2024 NFL Week 10 New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. makes his second reception against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10 of the 2024 NFL season.

NOVEMBER 10, 2024 • NEWORLEANSSAINTS.COM