March 11 (UPI) -- The New Orleans Saints released veteran cornerback Janoris Jenkins on Thursday in an effort to save money against the salary cap.
Sources told NFL Network, ESPN and The Athletic that the team saved $7 million with the move. Jenkins had an $11.2 million salary in 2021 and carried a cap hit of $14.2 million.
The 2016 Pro Bowl selection joined the team off waivers in December 2019. Jenkins had 55 total tackles, 12 passes defensed, three interceptions, two tackles for a loss and a touchdown in 13 starts last season.
The Saints have made several similar moves in the last few days as they work to get under the league's $182.5 million salary cap limit for 2021. The team must get below that limit by 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday, the start of the new league year.
The Saints released wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders on Wednesday, a moved that saved the team $4 million. They also recently cut punter Thomas Morstead, tight ends Jared Cook and Josh Hill and offensive lineman Nick Easton for an additional cap savings of about $24 million.
Jenkins entered the league as a second-round pick by the St. Louis Rams in the 2012 NFL Draft. He spent his first four seasons with the Rams. Jenkins then signed a five-year contract with the New York Giants in 2016. The Giants waived the 5-foot-10, 190-pound defensive back Dec. 13, 2019.
