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Former Rams LB James Laurinaitis Placed on IR by Saints

By Michael Moraitis

Jun 14, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker James Laurinaitis (53) during the first day of minicamp sessions at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker James Laurinaitis (53) during the first day of minicamp sessions at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis has been placed on injured reserve by the New Orleans Saints and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins has been activated.

Former Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis has been placed on injured reserve by the New Orleans Saints, effectively ending a disappointing 2016 campaign for the veteran.

ESPN’s Field Yates is reporting that along with the move involving Laurinaitis, the Saints are activating defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins to the 53-man roster:

Laurinaitis was dealing with a quadriceps injury all year, which obviously turned out to be more serious than initially thought. The Saints brought Laurinaitis in this past offseason on a three-year deal to help a troubled defense, however it didn’t turn out to be a successful move as Laurinaitis quickly fell out of favor with his new team.

Laurinaitis totaled just 17 combined tackles in five games and played well below the standard he has set for himself over the years, possibly due to the nagging quad injury he was dealing with.

Laurinaitis has always been a durable player during his time in the NFL, so any injury that forces him to miss time is a surprise. The 29-year-old has never missed a game since he entered the league in 2009 as a member of the St. Louis Rams.

Nov 8, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis (55) against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Rams 21-18. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis (55) against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Rams 21-18. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

In seven seasons with the Rams, Laurinaitis was the backbone of the team’s defense and totaled 100 combined tackles or more in every season. His time with the Rams ended before the team moved to Los Angeles for the 2016 season after the Rams surprised Laurinaitis with a release.

It’s a tough break for such a talented player, but Laurinaitis will bounce back and be good as new in no time knowing his history as a true gamer.

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