One of the victims of the 53-man roster cuts is already on to a fresh start. Longtime NFL running back Mike Gillislee has reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The #Saints are signing former #Patriots RB Mike Gillislee on a 1-year deal, source said. More firepower for their backfield.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 2, 2018
Mike Gillislee Signs With New Orleans Saints
Gillislee spent the 2017 season with the New England Patriots, who acquired him as a restricted free agent. The running back started off his New England tenure on the right foot, recording three touchdowns in his Patriots debut.
However, Gillislee’s season soon took a turn for the worst. The first-year Patriot struggled in short-yardage situations and saw his playing time decrease every single week. Following the Patriots Week Nine bye, Gillislee was a regular healthy scratch. The running back saw action in just one more game all season before injuring his knee and being inactive for the Patriots playoff run.
Gillislee first entered the league as a fifth-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in the 2013 NFL Draft. While he spent his first two years in Miami, he only saw action in three games, recording six rushes for 21 yards. After ending his 2014 campaign on the injured reserve, the Dolphins released Gillislee.
Gillislee spent the early portion of the 2015 season out of work before signing on with the Buffalo Bills practice squad in early November. By the time December rolled around, Gillislee worked his way to the 53-man roster. While he only played five games in Buffalo, Gillislee made them count, running for 267 yards on just 47 carries, good for 5.7 yards per carry.
Gillislee carried over his late 2015 success into 2016. Serving as LeSean McCoy’s primary backup, Gillislee had the best season of his career. On the season, Gillislee recorded 577 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 101 rushing attempts. For the second straight season, Gillislee finished with 5.7 yards per carry. Additionally, Gillislee recorded nine receptions for 50 yards and the first receiving touchdown of his career.
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