Saints reportedly to release running back Sproles

Darren Sproles is about hit the free agent market. (USATSI)

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It looks like Darren Sproles has gone from the trading block to the chopping block. The New Orleans Saints are going to release the 30-year-old running back, according to NFL.com.

New Orleans hasn't made the move official yet, but Sproles did send out a tweet on Friday night thanking Saints fans.

Thank you New Orleans for your support over the past 3 years! I will always be forever grateful. #WhoDat

— Darren Sproles (@DarrenSproles) March 8, 2014

The Saints cut veteran wide receiver Lance Moore earlier on Friday, but before cutting Sproles, the team reportedly wanted to see if they could get anything in return for him. With Sproles and Moore both gone now, the Saints will have to find a way to fill the production of their fourth and sixth leading receivers.

Sproles caught 71 passes for 604 yards in 2013, his 71 receptions was the fourth-most by any running back in the NFL last year. The dual-threat back also ran for 220 yards in 2013, which was the fourth-highest total for any player in New Orleans last season.

Cutting Sproles will save the Saints $3.5 million in cap space. The running back was headed into the final season of a four-year, $14 million deal he signed with the Saints in 2011.

New Orleans could also end up dumping Pierre Thomas, who was the team's leading rusher last season with 549 yards. Thomas' 77 catches in 2013 led all NFL running backs. With Sproles out and Thomas possibly gone too, that should mean a lot more touches for Khiry Robinson in 2014.

NFL Hot News

Denver RB Montee Ball will get first crack at starting job



The Denver Post says the Broncos "want to give [Montee] Ball the first chance at becoming their No. 1 running back in 2014." It's very unlikely that free-agent Knowshon Moreno will return to the Broncos in 2014, making Ball the most likely lead ball carrier for the Broncos.



Denver RB's aren't going to sneak up on fantasy owners this year. With defenses doing their best to slow down the passing attack, Knowshon Moreno rushed for over 1000 yards and 548 yards receiving out of the backfield. With him out of the picture in Denver, Montee Ball will be given the chance to rack up some big numbers himself.Assuming Ball holds on to the football through camp and the preseason, be prepared to pay for the second year back who averaged 4.7 YPC his rookie year. If Denver doesn't take a RB in the first half of the draft or grab a "big name" free agent (MJD? McFadden? Meh), both scenarios unlikely, expect Ball to be off the board by the midway point of the second round of your draft.For now, C.J. Anderson is the most likely change of pace back for the Broncos, with Ronnie Hillman also contributing. It is worth noting that Knowson entered camp last year as a long shot to make the team, so nothing is set in stone.