Darren Sproles reportedly will be cut by Saints

Darren Sproles has been a valuable member of the New Orleans Saints the past three seasons, but the team may be prepared to move on without him.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Saints are going to cut Sproles.

Sproles is entering the final year of his four-year deal with the team and was set to earn $3.5 million next season. On Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the team was open to trading Sproles and running back Pierre Thomas, so hearing this news a day later is not surprising.

The Saints will likely try to trade Sproles first and then cut him if they’re unable to find a taker.

Sproles was a backup running back to LaDainian Tomlinson in San Diego before joining the Saints in 2011. He made an immediate impact as an all-purpose player, catching passes, carrying the ball and returning punts and kickoffs. His touches have decreased since his first year with the team, but he still caught 71 passes for 604 yards last season. He only scored two touchdowns, however.