Saints Release Wes Horton, Add Mitchell Loewen

The New Orleans Saints shuffled their defensive line some, prior to their season-opener against the Houston Texans on Monday.

The team released veteran defensive end Wes Horton, while promoting defensive end Mitchell Loewen from the practice squad.

The 29-year old Horton signed with the Saints in May, after spending 6 seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

A native of Los Angeles, California, Horton appeared in all 16 games for the Panthers last season, including 8 as a starter, compiling 24 tackles, including a sack-and-a-half.

In parts of three NFL seasons, Horton has accumulated 93 tackles, including 15.5 sacks.

The 26-year old Loewen, who played his college football at Arkansas, appeared in two games for New Orleans in 2017, and one last season.

The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Loewen, was placed on injured reserve by the Saints in September last year, prior to being waived in December.

A native of Lahaina, Hawaii, Loewen was claimed off waiver by the Detroit Lions, before being released last month.

Loewen was signed to the practice squad of the Saints on September 1.