Roman Harper returning to the Saints

quote:

---

Two Pro Bowls. A Super Bowl Championship. @Harp41 is headed back to where it all started. #WhoDat #Saints

---

quote:

---

Safety Roman Harper, one of the key pieces to the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl championship team in 2009, will return to the Saints, his agency said in a Twitter message posted Tuesday.

Harper, 33, twice reached the Pro Bowl in his eight seasons with the Saints, before the team released him after the 2013 season. He played the last two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, where he never missed a start and helped them reach the Super Bowl in 2015.

At the time of Harper's release in February 2014, the Saints were $12 million over the projected salary cap and had younger players at his position in Kenny Vaccaro and Rafael Bush.

Bush has since moved on to the Detroit Lions, and the Saints could be looking for a return to the three-safety defensive looks the team used in 2013, Harper's last with the team.

Harper will likely carry a different role with the Saints than in the past, with Vaccaro, Jairus Byrd and second-round drafted newcomer Vonn Bell figuring to get a majority of snaps in the Saints' safety rotation.

Erik Harris, a CFL import signed in February, has also received a heavy dose of snaps in OTA workouts open to media.

Harper became a free agent when his contract voided in the days after the Panthers' Super Bowl loss to the Denver Broncos.

Harper broke up five passes and recovered two fumbles for the Panthers in 2015. In 2014, posted four interceptions with 10 passes defensed and a forced fumble.

His career totals with the Saints included seven interceptions and 17 sacks.

Back with the Saints, Harper will rejoin quarterback Drew Brees, offensive tackle Zach Strief and punter Thomas Morstead as the only players still around from the Super Bowl season.

The Saints are at the 90-man offseason roster limit and will need to make a corresponding move to create a spot for Harper.

---