24 former Saints players getting another shot in the XFL spring league
The XFL is returning for its 2023 season, with opening day rapidly approaching. And there will be a lot of former New Orleans Saints players crowding the sidelines in Saturday’s kickoff game between the Las Vegas Vipers and Arlington Renegades — it’ll be broadcast nationally on ABC, beginning at 2 p.m. CT.
Seven of the spring league’s eight teams have at least one former Saints player on their roster. Some of these players were only in New Orleans for a few weeks, just long enough to learn the playbook and pour a cup of coffee. Others were draft picks, free agent signings, and fan-favorites.
But at some point they all walked onto the practice field on Airline Drive in a helmet with a fleur-de-lis on it, and we’re rooting for them as they chase their second shot at playing pro football. Here’s the full list:
TE Alex Ellis, Arlington Renegades (2017-2018)
Jul 27, 2017; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Alex Ellis (48) waits to get on the field during drills at the Jacksonville Jaguars training camp on the NFL Football Practice Fields at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
OL Brian Folkerts, Arlington Renegades (2012)
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
OL Maea Teuhema, Arlington Renegades (2018)
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
DL Tomasi Laulile, Arlington Renegades (2019)
Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
CB Jordan Miller, Arlington Renegades (2021)
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
OL Sage Doxtater, Houston Roughnecks (2022)
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
QB Brett Hundley, Vegas Vipers (2022)
Adam Wesley/Wisconsin via USA TODAY Sports
TE Brandon Dillon, Vegas Vipers (2022)
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
OL Isaiah Williams, Vegas Vipers (2018)
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
TE Alize Mack, San Antonio Brahmas (2019)
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
TE Deon Yelder, San Antonio Brahmas (2018)
Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
OL Derrick Kelly, San Antonio Brahmas (2019-2022)
Max Becherer/The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate via AP
LB Joel Dublanko, San Antonio Brahmas (2022)
Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
DB Jack Koerner, San Antonio Brahmas (2022)
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
K John Parker Romo, San Antonio Brahmas (2022)
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
DL Niko Lalos, Seattle Dragons (2022)
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
CB Linden Stephens, Seattle Dragons (2018)
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
DB Bryce Thompson, Seattle Dragons (2021-2022)
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
LB Travis Feeney, St. Louis Battlehawks (2016-2017)
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
RB Ryquell Armstead, D.C. Defenders (2021)
Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports
RB Abram Smith, D.C. Defenders (2022)
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
TE Ethan Wolf, D.C. Defenders (2020-2021)
Max Becherer/The Advocate via AP
P Daniel Whelan, D.C. Defenders (2022)
AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki
TE Kahale Warring, D.C. Defenders reserve (2022)
AP Photo/Mike Roemer
