Demario

Davis

Davis was unable to play in Week but appears on track to return for Week 5. He will play a key role in the Saints’ game plan against Travis Kelce. Hopefully, Davis is able to make it through the week without suffering any setbacks.

Davis is one of the Saints’ best overall defenders so his absence is a big loss for the unit. Bijan Robinson should have an easier-than-expected time on runs up the middle.

Robinson, the PPR RB15, has a chance to break into the top 12 of the season-long scoring ranks. Saints LB Demario Davis (hamstring) has already been ruled out, which bodes positively for Robinson’s productivity on interior runs. He is a locked-in RB1

This new deal essentially turns into a one-year extension for Davis, 35, who was set to enter the final year of his deal. Now, Davis will be under contract through 2025 and will receive $17.25 million over that span, with $13.25 million in guaranteed money. Davis totaled 121 tackles and 6.5 sacks for the Saints last season and has been a mainstay for the defense since joining them in 2018. Davis has been named to back-to-back Pro Bowls in each of the last two seasons and has been named a Second-Team All-Pro in each of the last four seasons.

Davis was the Saints’ leading tackle on Sunday, recording seven tackles, including one sack, two tackles for loss and one pass deflection but hurt his knee in the process. He was working with trainers on Wednesdays, but Saints head coach Dennis Allen said the linebacker would be a gametime decision on Thursday. The All-Pro linebacker is second on the Saints in total tackles, with 38 through six games this year. If he was out, it would be a big blow for the Saints defense on Thursday.

Allen would not comment on the expected timeline but the injury doesn’t seem overly serious at this point. Davis remains an integral piece on the defensive interior, capable of contributing at a high level both against the pass and against the run. New Orleans extended Davis through the 2024 season prior to last year.

Originally under contract through 2023, Davis can now make up to $14 million in 2024. The extension also includes extra incentives through the remainder of the contract. It does not affect the Saints’ cap situation for this year. Davis is an elite interior linebacker who contributes in all phases. He totaled three sacks, seven pass defenses, and 13 TFLs in 2021.

The Saints now have $29.9 million in available cap space. Having emerged as a leading contender to land Deshaun Watson, the Saints are doing what they have to do to actually be able to fit the quarterback on their books. They still have work to do, as Watson carries a $40 million cap hit in 2022, but they’re getting close. We’ll likely hear of more contract restructures soon, provided Watson isn’t traded to another team first.

The move lowers Jordan’s $18.9 million cap charge, converting his $11.9 million salary into a signing bonus. New Orleans has cleared $13.4 million in cap room by restructuring the deals of Jordan and LB Demario Davis.

He gets $18 million guaranteed. It’s a raise from the three-year, $24 million deal Davis signed in 2018. Davis played 93 percent of snaps with 29 pressures and 32 run stops as PFF’s No.1 inside linebacker last year. The Saints have him signed through 2023.