The New Orleans Saints drafted Vernon Broughton in the third round this past April.

But the rookie defensive lineman is a healthy scratch ahead of the first game of the season.

Broughton was among the Saints’ inactives announced 90 minutes before Sunday’s kickoff against the Arizona Cardinals. Instead of keeping Broughton active, the Saints elected to elevate defensive lineman Jonah Williams from the practice squad.

The Saints are down three defensive linemen in total: Broughton, defensive tackle Khristian Boyd and pass rusher Chase Young — the latter of whom was ruled out Friday with a calf injury.

Boyd was listed on the injury report with a hand injury, but he was cleared to play after he participated fully over the last two days of practice. But the Saints chose to still sit the 2

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