Saints re-sign running back Tim Hightower

The New Orleans Saints and veteran running back Tim Hightower agreed to terms on a new contract on Friday

According to a report from the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Saints and 29-year-old running back Tim Hightower have agreed to terms on a new contract. Hightower had 375 yards and four touchdowns in eight games with the Saints last season.

Originally considered somewhat of a longshot to make the final roster last summer, Hightower stuck around throughout a number of camp cuts before eventually being released right before Week 1’s season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. He was quickly re-signed in Week 2, only to be released a second time, before once again getting added to the roster when injuries sidelined starting running backs Khiry Robinson and Mark Ingram.

He received his first official NFL start in over four years on December 13 in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hightower finished the contest with a career-high 28 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown.

Hightower was originally drafted in 2008 by the Arizona Cardinals, but he tore his ACL in 2011 while playing for the Washington Redskins and wouldn’t start again until the Tampa game from last season. Despite eight years now having elapsed since he first entered the league, Hightower’s lack of playing time has correlated to only 619 total carries.

In other words, despite his age, there seems to be strong belief from the Saints organization that Hightower has plenty of gas left in the tank now that he’s finally rehabilitated from injury and been given another crack at making his mark as a professional football player. While Ingram still figures to be the primary workhorse for New Orleans next season, his own injury history means that we could see plenty more of Hightower in 2016.

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