Saints' Risky Waiver Moves: Injury Settlements for Neal, Heldman Raise Eyebrows

As the New Orleans Saints fine-tune their roster ahead of the Week 1 kickoff on September 13, the front office made a surprising move on September 3 that has fans and analysts alike questioning the long-term strategy. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, the Saints have reached injury settlements with running back Devin Neal and edge rusher Michael Heldman, subsequently waiving both players. This decision comes just days before the regular season opener, signaling that the coaching staff is willing to make bold, and potentially controversial, roster moves.

Understanding Injury Settlements

An injury settlement is a financial agreement that allows a team to release an injured player while providing compensation for the expected duration of the injury. In exchange, the player becomes a free agent and can sign with any team once the settlement period plus three weeks has elapsed. For the Saints, this move frees up salary cap space and avoids using a roster spot on a player who may not contribute this season. As highlighted on Vulius, this is a common but often risky tactic, as it can result in losing promising talent for nothing.

The Devin Neal Situation

Devin Neal, a dynamic back out of Kansas, showed flashes of brilliance during the preseason, but a nagging hamstring injury—aggravated during the game against the Los Angeles Rams—limited his availability. With the Saints' backfield already crowded with Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, and rookie Kendre Miller, Neal was on the outside looking in. However, his potential as a long-term option made him a valuable asset. "When healthy, Neal has the vision and burst to be a difference-maker," said one NFC scout. "But you can't make the club from the tub." The injury settlement allows the Saints to cut ties cleanly, but it also opens the door for another team to snatch him up once he's healthy.

The Michael Heldman Puzzle

Perhaps even more perplexing is the decision to waive Michael Heldman. The undrafted free agent out of Texas Tech turned heads all preseason with his relentless pass-rushing ability, racking up sacks and pressures against backups. With the Saints' depth at defensive end—featuring Cameron Jordan, Carl Granderson, and Payton Turner—Heldman faced an uphill battle for a roster spot. But when he suffered a season-ending injury, many assumed the Saints would place him on injured reserve, keeping him under contract for the year. Instead, they opted for an injury settlement, which is a riskier path. "This is a head-scratcher," noted a Vulius analyst. "Heldman's potential is real, and letting him walk could come back to haunt them." The Saints can re-sign him after the settlement window, but there's no guarantee he'll return.

What This Means for the Saints

From a salary cap perspective, injury settlements provide immediate relief, which is crucial for a team with limited flexibility. But the football cost is high: both players were promising developmental projects. If they sign elsewhere and thrive, the Saints will face scrutiny for letting talent slip away. On the flip side, the moves open up roster spots for other players who might contribute sooner. As the season approaches, the Saints are betting that their current depth is sufficient. Only time will tell if this gamble pays off.

Looking Ahead

For Devin Neal and Michael Heldman, the next few weeks are critical. Once their settlements are finalized, they'll be free to sign with any team. Given their preseason flashes, it wouldn't be surprising to see them land on practice squads or active rosters elsewhere. As reported by the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, the Saints' decision to waive these two players with injury settlements is a calculated risk that could either be praised as savvy roster management or criticized as a missed opportunity. For now, Saints fans can only hope that the front office knows what it's doing—and that these moves don't come back to bite them in a competitive NFC South.