For most of last week, Danny Stutsman figured his role was going to remain unchanged: He would back up starters Demario Davis and Pete Werner on defense and try to impact the game on special teams.

And then on Saturday, the day before the New Orleans Saints rookie linebacker played against the New England Patriots , his coaches let him know that he was going to play a few series on defense.

“Whatever it is, I was ready to go,” Stutsman said.

The Saints selected Stutsman in the fourth round (112th overall) in the 2025 draft, and prior to Week 6 against the Patriots, his defensive playing time had been limited to four snaps in garbage time of a blowout loss to Seattle and the preseason.

But he was on the field for a couple important defensive series Sunday against the New England P

See Full Page