Michael DiRocco
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars have acquired veteran defensive deal with Khalen Saunders from the New Orleans Saints for veteran heart Luke Fortner, league sources confirmed to ESPN.
The inside of the defensive position has been a problem for the Jaguars the previous two seasons. The crew was optimistic that with veteran Arik Armstead's transfer again inside and second-year participant Maason Smith's continued growth, they may shore up the deal with spots.
Nonetheless, Armstead has been coping with a again harm and has but to follow and Smith suffered a decrease physique harm in the course of the pre-camp conditioning check and solely got here off the PUP checklist on Aug. 14.
Veteran defensive deal with DaVon Hamilton has not been the identical participant he was in 2022 after struggling a again an infection within the 2023 preseason, which brought about him to overlook 9 video games.
Saunders is a six-year veteran who spent the previous two seasons with the Saints after spending 4 seasons with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, who drafted him within the third spherical in 2019. Saunders, who has 6.5 sacks and 181 tackles in his profession, received two Tremendous Bowl titles with the Chiefs. The 6-foot-3, 324-pound Saunders additionally had a 37-yard interception return in opposition to the Chiefs final season after he grabbed a deflected cross in the long run zone.
Wow🙏🏾 #DUUUUUVALLLLLLLLL
— Bink Saunders (@khalenNOTkaylen) August 18, 2025
Saunders began for the Saints in Sunday's preseason recreation in opposition to the Jaguars in New Orleans. He performed effectively into the 17-17 tie whereas Saints defensive deal with Nathan Shepherd didn't play, indicating his probability at making the 53-man roster was in jeopardy.
Fortner was the Jaguars' third-round choose in 2022 and he performed each snap as a rookie. He additionally began each recreation in 2023 however struggled and the crew changed him with free-agent signee Mitch Morse. Morse retired within the offseason and the Jaguars signed Robert Hainsey in March to be the starter. The Jaguars additionally drafted heart Jonah Monheim within the seventh spherical and he has been working because the second-team heart.
NFL Community first reported the Jaguars buying Saunders.
