Baltimore Ravens tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden (84) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Nick Wass
The [New Orleans Saints](https://www.nola.com/tncms/asset/editorial/82b06d76-0658-4cad-949c-4eab2a307306/) acquired a new tight end just two days ago.
He won't be playing in Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tight end Zaire Mitchell-Paden was among the team's inactives released 90 minutes before kickoff. Mitchell-Paden joins a group that includes safety Ugo Amadi, cornerback Rejzohn Wright, defensive tackle Jonah Williams, tackle Xavier Truss and defensive tackle Khristian Boyd as healthy scratches.
The Saints had no players listed as out or questionable when they released their final injury report of the week, although they do have a handful of players on injured reserve such as center Erik McCoy (biceps) and running back Kendre Miller (ACL).
With Boyd and Williams not active, defensive tackle John Ridgeway will make his season debut. He returns from injured reserve after suffering a shoulder injury in the preseason.
The Saints will also have only two running backs active against the Buccaneers as the team did not elect to elevate recently acquired Audric Estime from the practice squad. Alvin Kamara and rookie Devin Neal will serve as the two primary running backs, though quarterback Taysom Hill could also serve as a runner if needed.