NFL: Saints’ re-sign WR Robert Meachem for 3rd time

Well welcome back Robert Meachem, — again.

New Orleans Saints’ coach Sean Payton announced Wednesday afternoon that the team has added wide receiver Meachem as well as kicker Shayne Graham to the active roster.

The Saints’ terminated the receiver’s one-year, $920,000 contract just prior to Satruday’s deadline to cut down to a 53 man roster.

Dec 15, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kenny Stills (84) carries the ball against the St. Louis Rams during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. The Rams defeated the Saints 27-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

To free up room for the return of Meachem, the Saints have placed Khairi Fortt to the short-term injured reserve list.

This is the third time the Saints have resigned the 29 year old, after being the club’s first-round draft pick in 2007. He inked a lucrative four year, $29.5 million deal with San Diego in 2012, however after a disappointing season, he was released. The Saint’s then scooped him for $710,000, the one year veteran minimum for a player with seven year experience.

After catching 16 passes for 324 yard and two touchdowns in 2013, the Saints brought Meachem back on another one-year deal, this time for $920,000. The terms of his most recent contract were not disclosed, though it’s likely similar to the contract that was terminated over the weekend.

Wide receiver, Kenny Stills’ status remains uncertain, despite his return to practice. He’s been battling a quad injury he sustained while working with quarterback Drew Brees in San Diego during the month between OTAs and training camp. Stills re-aggravated that injury during the team’s first day of practice in Greenbrier, and sat out until week 3 of the preseason against Indianapolis, where he once again re-aggravated the same quad.

Meachem’s signing could indicated that Stills isn’t quite ready for Sunday’s season opener in Atlanta.