Saints sign former Navy standout Malcolm Perry
The New Orleans Saints have signed free-agent wide receiver Malcolm Perry to their practice squad with the intention of quickly promoting the former Navy standout to the active roster, multiple media outlets have reported.
Perry was waived by the New England Patriots last week after spending the entire season to date on injured reserve.
After the Saints signed Perry, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported he could be activated in short order. Amie Just, who covers the Saints for the New Orleans Times-Picayune, confirmed that information citing sources.
Perry was selected in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL draft after a record-setting senior season as the starting quarterback at Navy. He played in nine games as a rookie with the Dolphins and totaled nine receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown.
Miami waived the 5-foot10, 190-pound speedster as part of the final round of roster cutdowns, and the Patriots quickly claimed him. However, Perry suffered a foot injury that caused him to be inactive for the season opener and he was placed on injured reserve.
New Orleans has six receivers on its active roster in starters Tre’Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harris along with backups Ty Montgomery, Kenny Stills and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. For now, Perry joins a practice squad that already features two receivers in Easop Winston Jr. and rookie Kawaan Baker.
Perry excelled as both a slotback and quarterback in Navy’s triple-option offense while amassing 4,359 rushing yards. That total ranks second in program history behind quarterback Keenan Reynolds,
who played slot receiver in the NFL for the Ravens and Seattle Seahawks.
As a senior, Perry set a Football Bowl Subdivision record for rushing yards by a quarterback with 2,017 and scored 21 touchdowns. He ran for 100 yards or more in 11 of 13 games, setting another single-season school record.
Perry also showed the ability to return kickoffs and punts while piling up 5,320 all-purpose yards, which ranks second in program history behind legendary tailback Napoleon McCallum (7,172, 198185), who played in the NFL with the Los Angeles Raiders.