Saints Bolster Cornerback Depth with Familiar Face: Shemar Jean-Charles Rejoins the Team
The New Orleans Saints are making a savvy move to strengthen their cornerback unit, as they have reportedly re-signed Shemar Jean-Charles to their practice squad.
According to Saints beat reporter Luke Johnson from NOLA.com, the 26-year-old Jean-Charles is returning to the team he finished the 2022 season with.
Jean-Charles was originally a fifth-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2021, after a standout college career at Appalachian State. He spent two seasons in Green Bay, primarily contributing on special teams and as a reserve defensive back.
After being waived by the Packers at the end of training camp this year, Jean-Charles found a new home with the San Francisco 49ers, where he spent time on their practice squad and appeared in five games.
The Saints then scooped up Jean-Charles late last season, and he went on to play in three games for New Orleans to close out the year.
This offseason, Jean-Charles has continued to impress, standing out in several Saints training camp practices and carrying that momentum into the preseason. During extensive playing time in all three preseason contests, he allowed just four receptions on eight targets in man coverage, holding opposing quarterbacks to a 69.3 passer rating, per Pro Football Focus.
By re-signing Jean-Charles to the practice squad, the Saints are adding valuable depth and experience to their cornerback room, which already features the likes of Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, and Bradley Roby.
This move demonstrates the Saints’ commitment to continuously improving their roster and providing quality competition at every position. Jean-Charles will be ready to step up if called upon, and his familiarity with the team and system could prove invaluable as the season progresses.
Shemar Jean-Charles Rejoins Saints After Brief Stint as Free Agent.
Despite an impressive preseason showing, cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles found himself released by the New Orleans Saints on August 27th as the team made its final roster cuts. Many expected the Saints to quickly re-sign Jean-Charles to their practice squad, but he remained a free agent beyond Week 1.
This development came as a bit of a surprise, given the depth and talent in the Saints’ cornerback room. New Orleans boasts one of the deepest units in the NFL, featuring the likes of Marshon Lattimore, Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor, rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry, and breakout preseason star Rico Payton, an undrafted rookie.
However, the Saints’ secondary faced a potential setback last week when Lattimore left the team’s season-opening win over the Carolina Panthers with a hamstring injury. While early indications suggest Lattimore will be able to play in Week 2, the addition of Jean-Charles provides valuable insurance and depth at the position.
This week, the Saints will face off against the explosive passing attack of the Dallas Cowboys, making the depth and versatility of their cornerback group all the more important. Jean-Charles, who has familiarity with the Saints’ system after finishing the 2022 season with the team, could be a key piece in the effort to slow down the Cowboys’ aerial assault.
If Lattimore’s hamstring issue lingers and does not respond as expected in practice this week, the Saints may opt to elevate Jean-Charles from the practice squad to the active roster, ensuring they have the necessary personnel to match up with the Cowboys’ talented receivers.
This move to re-sign Jean-Charles demonstrates the Saints’ commitment to continuously improving their roster and maintaining a high level of competition at every position. The team clearly values Jean-Charles’ abilities and believes he can contribute to their success this season, even amid the depth they’ve already assembled at cornerback.
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