Saints wideout Rishard Matthews leaves team, released
METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints released veteran wideout Rishard Matthews after he chose to leave the team, coach Sean Payton confirmed Saturday.
Asked why Matthews left the team, Payton declined to say why, adding, "It's not for everyone."
The departure came one day after Matthews, 29, played in the first preseason game Friday against the Minnesota Vikings. He caught one pass for seven yards and played 20 snaps on offense, six on special teams.
Matthews has seven seasons of NFL experience. He spent four seasons with the Miami Dolphins after they selected him in the seventh round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
He left the Tennessee Titans after three games last season because he was unhappy about playing time. He was the teams leading receiver in the two previous seasons. He ended last season with the New York Jets on injured reserve.
Matthews joined the Saints after a minicamp tryout in June.
The roster move was one of three for the Saints on Saturday, as the team waived tight end John Powell and put veteran offensive lineman Ulrick John on injured reserve.
The moves put New Orleans three below the 90-player roster maximum for training camp.
