Mere hours after the playing the Jacksonville Jaguars to a tie in the preseason, the New Orleans Saints traded one of their former starting defensive tackles to them.
The Saints traded Khalen Saunders to the Jaguars late Sunday, according to an NFL media report. The terms of the trade are not yet clear.
Saunders started Sunday's preseason game at nose tackle in place of Davon Godchaux, whom the Saints held out. He did not record a statistic.
The Saints initially signed Saunders to a three-year, $14.5 million contract prior to the 2023 season. He appeared in 30 games for the Saints over two seasons, during which he provided several memorable moments.
Saunders intercepted a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs last season and returned it 37 yards. He also played a minor package as a fullback in a jumbo formation, playing 16 offensive snaps in 2023.
He lost grip on his starting role, though. The Saints traded for Godchaux this offseason and transitioned to a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Saunders was serving as the team's backup nose tackle.
In two seasons with the Saints, Saunders recorded 100 tackles, 2 sacks and 4 tackles for loss.