Locals in the NFL: BYU's Hill claimed off waivers by Saints; Utes' Dielman headed to Los Angeles


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AROUND THE SHIELD — Taysom Hill’s NFL career isn’t over just yet.

Less than 24 hours after being released at the final cut by the Green Bay Packers, the former BYU quarterback learned he was on the move to New Orleans as a waiver wire pickup. New Orleans also claimed wide receiver Austin Carr from New England.

The Saints have a veteran quarterback in Drew Brees, who is 38 years old, and Chase Daniel on their roster. They also released quarterbacks Garrett Grayson and Ryan Nassib during Saturday’s final cuts.

Expect Hill to work into the New Orleans practice squad, a similar path that former Packers teammate Joe Callahan took when he was released in Green Bay a year ago, picked up by the Saints, and then returned to Green Bay before being waived alongside Hill on Saturday.

The 6-foot-2 native of Pocatello, Idaho completed 14-of-20 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns during the preseason, and also ran for another score. The Packers reportedly waived Hill with the intention of adding him to their practice squad once he cleared waivers.

But a pickup from a team like the Saints was always the risk Green Bay was willing to take.

In other local NFL news, former Utah center J.J. Dielman has been claimed off waivers by the Los Angeles Rams.

Dielman, who was selected in the fifth round of last April’s NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, will join the Rams’ 53-man roster, according to Orange County Register reporter Rich Hammond.

A former right tackle who moved to center as a senior with the Utes, Dielman saw time in three preseason games with the Bengals before being waived Saturday. He was unavailable for rookie minicamp due to a Lisfranc injury suffered five games into his senior season.

In addition to Saturday's flurry of transactions, the Arizona Cardinals reached an injury settlement with undrafted free agent linebacker Tre'von Johnson. The former Weber State standout will be free to sign with another team once the injury settlement is finalized.

After making through cuts down to the 53-man roster, former BYU safety Kai Nacua was released by Cleveland after Sunday morning, when the Browns added a fourth quarterback to their roster via waivers. The Browns also waived wide receiver Rashard Higgins, defensive back Darius Hilary and defensive lineman Tyrone Holmes, while terminating the contract of defensive back Marcus Burley.

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Sean Walker

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