Chris Banjo could rejoin Saints, Sean Payton says

One of the more surprising roster cut-down decisions was the release of the core special teams player who spent the last two-plus seasons in New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS -- Chris Banjo's time with the New Orleans Saints might not be finished.

One of the more surprising roster cut-down decisions Saturday was the release of the core special teams player who spent the last two-plus seasons in New Orleans.

Sean Payton said Monday "that door is not shut" in reference to the six-year NFL veteran making a return to the team.

"He's such a valuable part of what we’ve been," Payton said. "He epitomizes what we’re looking for. I would also add that door is not shut. When I talk about the roster and we talk about some of the changes that could be made throughout the early part of the season, he’s someone that has got all the right things that go into winning games and being a great teammate and being a leader. 

"And so that was definitely one of the most difficult decisions. And yet we stay in touch here and see how that goes."

Banjo played 729 snaps in 39 regular season games over his two-plus seasons in New Orleans. He joined the Saints after his midseason release from the Green Bay Packers in 2016.