New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (knee) did not participate in Tuesday's practice, making it two missed practices in a row this week as his team gears up to face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday night. Davis is currently listed as questionable for the game but he will likely have to do something on Wednesday to have a shot at taking the field for the Saints. Davis' absence would be an issue for the Saints as the 2022 Pro Bowler has 38 tackles through six games this season. The Saints have been one of the toughest teams in the league against tight ends in fantasy but Davis' potential absence on Thursday would be a plus for Jacksonville's tight ends, namely Evan Engram.
The New Orleans Saints restructured the contract of linebacker Demario Davis on Saturday by converting his 2023 base salary into a signing bonus. With restructures to Davis and tight end Taysom Hill, the Saints created $12.724 million in salary cap space for this season, according to a source. Davis is a big part of what the Saints do on defense. The 34-year-old made the Pro Bowl for the first time in 2022 with 109 tackles (54 solo), 10 tackles for loss, eight QB hits, a career-high 6.5 sacks, one interception, six passes defensed and a fumble recovery in 17 starts in his fifth year in New Orleans. The 11-year veteran has accumulated 100-plus total tackles in each of the last six seasons and in eight of his 11 seasons in the league.
The New Orleans Saints signed linebacker Demario Davis to a one-year contract extension on Friday for a base salary of $10 million in 2024, according to a source. Davis can make up to $14 million, with an extra $2 million roster bonus and $2 million through incentives. His 2023 base salary drops from $8.5 million to $8.25 million, but he adds a $250,000 workout bonus, and $1 million of that salary is guaranteed. The 33-year-old veteran has had at least 100 combined tackles in seven of his 10 NFL seasons, and he finished 2021 with 105 tackles (70 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, three sacks and seven passes defensed in 16 starts. Davis is a respected leader with the Saints and is solid linebacker depth in IDP leagues.
New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis was ranked by Pro Football Focus as 2019's second-best linebacker. He had 13 trips inside an opposing quarterback's five-foot halo (four sacks) and the fifth-fewest yards per rush allowed among linebackers when in a runner's path. Davis was also accredited with the most stopped overall drives and touchdowns among linebackers last season. The 31-year-old secured first-team All-Pro honors by recording 111 tackles (87 combined), 11 tackles for loss, one interception and 12 passes defensed last year. Heading into his third year in the Big Easy, Davis has over 100 combined tackles in each of the last three seasons, including 14 sacks over that span. He's easily a top-15 fantasy linebacker in IDP settings.
Free-agent linebacker Demario Davis is expected to sign a three-year, $24 million deal with the New Orleans Saints, according to a source. The deal is expected to have $18 million guaranteed. Davis had a combined 135 tackles in 2017 with the Jets and figures to be a three-down linebacker with his new squad. New Orleans defense just keeps getting better and better.
