New Orleans Saints sign WR Patrick Crayton

Jan 1, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Patrick Crayton (12) rues up field after a pass reception against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2012; Oakland, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Patrick Crayton (12) rues up field after a pass reception against the Oakland Raiders during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jason O. Watson-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints lost wide receiver Joe Morgan to an injury earlier this training camp. That has led the Saints to dip into the ‘retired free-agents’ pool and sign former Dallas Cowboys receiver Patrick Crayton. With teams bringing 90 players to camp it makes it hard to find players to fill slots created by injuries on the fly.

From Larry Holder of NOLA.com and The Times-Picayune:

"The New Orleans Saints had a new wide receiver at practice Monday, veteran Patrick Crayton.Crayton, 34, didn’t play in the 2012 regular season, but he was a longtime valuable backup receiver/punt returner for the Dallas Cowboys. He played under Saints coach Sean Payton in 2004-05 when Payton was the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator."

Crayton likely won’t have a huge impact with the Saints or a breakout season. He was never a huge impact player during the prime of his career and never had more than 700 yards receiving in a season. His career was spent primarily as the #3 option on the wide receiver depth chart.

His last season in the league, 2011 with the San Diego Chargers, he caught 23 passes for 248 yards and 1 touchdown.