The New Orleans Saints defense has enough problems to try to work through. Losing one of their better pass rushers for the season isn’t likely to help.
Yet that is what happened as defensive end Hau’oli Kikaha, who had four sacks as a rookie found out he would not be able to help the team move forward in 2016.
Rough news for the Saints: DE Hau'oli Kikaha tore his ACL, sources say. Last year's second-round pick likely done for the season.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 9, 2016
It’s unfortunate because there were definite signs that Kikaha could become that wingman to Cameron Jordan the Saints had been searching for ever since they were forced to part ways with Junior Gallette two years ago. With him out the burden falls much heavier on rookies Sheldon Rankins and David Onyemata to pick up the slack. Even so, the good news is there may be some temporary options available in free agency they could look to for help.
Dwight Freeney
Even at age 35, Dwight Freeney was showing the NFL he still knows how to get to the quarterback. He had eight sacks in just 11 games for the Arizona Cardinals and might welcome a return to an indoor atmosphere with a fast turn to run on. As long as the Saints wisely manage his snaps he has proven he can still be very effective.
Mike Neal
Thus far he’s made a living at outside linebacker in Green Bay, averaging between four to five sacks per season but Mike Neal has the size and skill set to make the transition to 4-3 defensive end. One could argue it might be a better fit for him. Either way his experience at being a rotational pass rusher would hold plenty of value and it’s not likely to cost the Saints much against their cap.
Greg Hardy
This of course would be the lightning bolt to get everybody talking. Greg Hardy is still followed by some pretty dark clouds ranging from his accusations of assaulting his ex-girlfriend to the rumors that he partied too much during his brief stint in Dallas. The former Pro Bowl defensive end can still play and has taken every step possible to showing teams he’s committed to improving off the field. It would be a risk in many ways, but if he can stay out of trouble the New Orleans Saints might be getting a double digit sack producer in his prime.