Joe

Morgan

Arrington, the veteran of the group at 26, has turned down offers from five other teams and is practicing in the slot. A torn meniscus cost undrafted Morgan the entire 2011 season. He’s learning the Z, or flanker position. Toon was a fourth-round pick this season and is being used as an X, or split end.

The Saints have typically kept just five receivers. It will be interesting to see if Morgan, Adrian Arrington, and fourth-rounder Nick Toon play well enough to put the squeeze on veteran Devery Henderson, due $2.65 million this season. Labeled a “phenom” in training camp, Morgan was making a strong push for a roster spot last August before a meniscus tear ended his season before it got started.

Arrington is roughly one month removed from meniscus surgery. He believes he’ll be able to play in Week 1, but won’t have a major role regardless. Joseph Morgan flashed in the preseason as the No. 4 wideout, posting 15 catches for 182 yards with two touchdowns in five games.

Toon is drawing raves for his speed and hands at 6'2/215. He’s caught “nearly everything” thrown in his direction at OTAs and “seems to be better than a fourth-round pick.” Toon will battle Adrian Arrington and Joseph Morgan at training camp for a spot behind Marques Colston, Lance Moore and Devery Henderson.

“We think we’ve got a young Robert Meachem,” Vitt said. Morgan, “stashed” on I.R. as a rookie following a minor knee scope, is healthy and making a case for a roster spot after an impressive 2011 summer. Last preseason, Morgan caught a 56-yard touchdown bomb from Chase Daniel and also returned a punt for a touchdown. He’s worth monitoring for deep-league purposes.

He continues to flash big-play ability in preseason games, however. Squarely on the roster bubble, Morgan hauled in a 53-yard score from Chase Daniel to open the second half Friday night. Morgan’s deep speed and downfield playmaking ability should give him an edge on the final wide receiver spot in the Big Easy.

There’s no timetable for his return. Arrington was pushing hard for No. 4 wideout duties with a strong camp, but those aspirations are scrapped now. Injured Nick Toon (foot), Joseph Morgan and Courtney Roby are candidates for the gig.

Morgan hasn’t played since scoring a highlight, 48-yard touchdown in Week 7. The New Orleans Times-Picayune expects him to be available for his role as a situational deep threat behind Marques Colston, Lance Moore, and Devery Henderson.

Arrington was dealing with a minor knee injury this week in practice and wasn’t expected to play in Week 1. Jones, a seventh-round pick out of Nebraska, was also dealing with a knee injury. The moves open up a roster spot for defensive end Will Smith to return from suspension. Joe Morgan will be the No. 4 receiver on Sunday.

It’s not clear if Morgan suffered the injury on his highlight-reel touchdown catch last week. He had been playing as a situational deep threat, behind Marques Colston, Lance Moore, and Devery Henderson.