Saints cut DT Jaleel Johnson, RB Malcolm Brown

The New Orleans Saints released defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson and running back Malcolm Brown on Thursday.

The Saints also officially signed quarterback K.J. Costello and defensive backs Brian Allen and Jack Koerner.

Johnson, 28, was a fourth-round pick by Minnesota in 2017 and has 110 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 65 games (20 starts) with the Vikings (2017-20) and Houston Texans (2021).

Brown, 29, rushed 33 times for 125 yards and a touchdown in seven games last season with the Miami Dolphins. He has rushed for 1,313 yards and 12 scores in 77 career games with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2015-20) and Dolphins (2021).

Costello, 25, was undrafted out of Mississippi State in 2021. He went to training camp last season with the Los Angeles Chargers and spent time earlier this year with the USFL's Philadelphia Stars.

With starter Jameis Winston sidelined by a foot injury, Costello's signing adds depth ahead of Saturday's preseason opener at Houston.

Allen, 28, has six tackles in 20 career games with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2017-18), San Francisco 49ers (2020) and Cleveland Browns (2021).

Koerner signed with the club as a free agent after the 2022 NFL Draft. He had 216 tackles and six interceptions in 47 games with Iowa.