Saints sign WR Brandon Marshall to replace Dez Bryant

The New Orleans Saints signed six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall to a contract, the team announced Monday.

Marshall effectively is replacing three-time Pro Bowl wideout Dez Bryant, who signed with the club last Tuesday before sustaining a torn Achilles on the final play in practice three days later.

The 34-year-old Marshall, who was released by the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 30, worked out for the Saints with Bryant and Kamar Aiken last week.

"[Marshall] moved around well," New Orleans head coach Sean Payton said during his Monday conference call. "He's smart, he's experienced. He's someone, again, that he's been in a number of systems and overall had a good workout. He's got good length and size. He's another big target. We'll see how it goes here this week and what our plans are."

Marshall has yet to compete in an NFL playoff game during his career, although that run should end with the Saints boasting an 8-1 mark.

The 6-foot-5, 232-pound Marshall has 970 career receptions for 12,351 yards and 83 touchdown catches with the Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Giants and Seahawks. His production has dipped considerably, however, as he had just 11 catches for 136 yards and one score in seven games played with Seattle.

Marshall is 16th in receptions -- only 12 behind Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss on the NFL's all-time receptions list.

Pro Bowl wideout Michael Thomas has flourished this season for the Saints, recording 78 receptions for 950 yards and seven touchdowns.

Outside of Thomas, however, the Saints have received lukewarm production from the wide receiver position.

Rookie Tre'Quan Smith has 12 receptions for 214 yards and three touchdowns for the Saints, who saw fellow wideout Ted Ginn Jr. placed on injured reserve last month and Cameron Meredith struggle this season.