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Here's a mild surprise for the New Orleans Saints' last game of the year. It looks like it will be Jake Haener, not Spencer Rattler, serving as Tyler Shough's backup in Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints brought up Haener from their practice squad as a standard single-week elevation along with veteran running back Nyheim Hines. In another last-minute roster move, the Saints also signed from tight end Treyton Welch from their practice squad to to the 53-man roster.
Rattler didn't practice this week due to a finger injury, so the Saints are at least making Haener available if Shough has to leave the game. It's also possible they're protecting Rattler from worsening the injury in case his name comes up in trade talks this offseason, but that feels a little too speculative. If all goes as planned Shough will see the game through from start to finish.
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As for Hines? Alvin Kamara's season is over after he was ruled out for Sunday's Falcons game, so he'll be backing up Audric Estime and Evan Hull. Devin Neal and Kendre Miller are both on injured reserve. Look for Estime to take point after rushing for 94 yards on just 14 carries last week. This is Hines' first game with the Saints after appearing in three matchups with the Los Angeles Chargers earlier this year, primarily working on special teams.
But it's a big opportunity for Welch. The Saints put both Jack Stoll and Zaire Mitchell-Paden on injured reserve to end the season, joining Foster Moreau and Mason Pline, meaning their only healthy tight ends were Juwan Johnson and Moliki Matavao. Welch could have some opportunities to catch a couple of passes and make some plays with so many snaps to go around. He's someone Shough knows well after their time together on the scout team through the first half of the season.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints call up practice squad quarterback in Week 18 roster moves
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