After hard work and fighting off injuries helped him make the New Orleans Saints roster as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2016, defensive end D.J. Pettway was one of two players released from the team on Tuesday – to make room for a wave of 12 free agents from this year’s draft class.
News was first reported via tweet from NFL writer Mike Triplett, who covers the Saints.
#Saints released DE D.J. Pettway, CB Jimmy Pruitt with injury designations. 2 undrafted rookies from last yr making way for this years UDFAs
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) May 1, 2017
Before arriving in New Orleans, Pettway was a consistent rotation player at the University of Alabama under head coach Nick Saban. Following a strong freshman year in 2012 – eight tackles, four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks – off-field issues would dismiss from the school.
Upon his return in 2014 from East Mississippi Community College, Pettway collected 40 total tackles in the next two seasons – including 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He was a part of two national championship squads (2012, 2015) and a Southeastern Conference championship team in 2012.
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
