Saints announce a series of midweek roster moves going into Week 14

Players had the day off on Tuesday, but the New Orleans Saints processed a series of roster moves to churn the depth chart. That includes one new addition for the practice squad and a couple of other players being waived from the 53-man roster. Here's what you need to know about every transaction.

CB Beanie Bishop signed to the practice squad

Bishop, 25, has played a lot of snaps in the slot and at safety, and figures to back up Alontae Taylor while helping the team navigate some time with starting safety Justin Reid healing up from a knee injury. He joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as a rookie free agent last year and has a relationship with Saints cornerbacks coach Grady Brown, who previously worked in Pittsburgh.

RB Ian Wheeler released from the practice squad

Wheeler was signed as a depth option while Alvin Kamara dealt with knee and ankle injuries; letting him go suggests the Saints expect Kamara back soon. Either way they still have Devin Neal, Evan Hull, and Audric Estime on the 53-man roster. Good luck to Wheeler in his next stop.

WR Kevin Austin Jr. waived from the 53-man roster

Austin was brought up from the practice squad after the Saints waived Brandin Cooks, but he only played five snaps against the Miami Dolphins. Devaughn Vele and Chris Olave will continue drawing the lion's share of snaps at wide receiver with Mason Tipton (who logged a career-high 61 snaps in Miami) rounding out the trio. Assuming Austin clears waivers, he'll likely return to the practice squad.

RT Barry Wesley waived from the 53-man roster

This is mildly surprising. Wesley spent most of the season on injured reserve and was only recently activated from it after rehabbing a hip issue. That the Saints used one of their few IR-return designation on a player and then chose to waive him doesn't seem like the best use of resources. But if Wesley clears the waiver wire and signs with the practice squad, no one will bat an eye. We'll wait and see if he re-signs or ends up elsewhere.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints announce a series of midweek roster moves going into Week 14