Klein announced Tuesday that he was retiring from the NFL, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN reports.
Klein will retire after playing 11 seasons in the NFL for five different teams. The 33-year-old, who was a free agent before announcing his retirement, most recently played for the Bills, where he played in two regular-season games during the 2023 campaign but failed to record any stats.
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Bills' A.J. Klein: Elevated ahead of KC game
Rotowire
The Bills elevated Klein to the active roster Saturday.
Klein played a key role in the Bills' win over the Steelers in the wild-card round after the team suffered several defensive injuries. He ended up playing 67 percent of the defensive snaps -- his first action since Week 10 against the Broncos -- while recording a game-high 11 tackles. With Matt Milano out for the season and Baylon Spector ruled out for Sunday due to a back injury and starter Terrel Bernard (ankle) listed as questionable, Klein may be asked to step up again, a task that will be a little more difficult against Patrick Mahomes instead of Mason Rudolph.
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Bills' A.J. Klein: Full go Friday
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Klein (back) was a full participant in Friday's practice.
Klein had been dealing with a back injury that held him out of the Bills' Week 9 loss to the Bengals, but it now seems as if he's had enough time to move past the issue. The veteran linebacker has appeared in only one game for Buffalo this season, playing strictly on special teams.
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Bills' A.J. Klein: Won't practice Thursday
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Klein suffered a back injury Wednesday and will not practice Thursday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.
The veteran barely sees the field on defense these days, but he's still a strong special-teams player at 32 years of age and saw action on 54 percent of the special-teams snaps in last Thursday's win over Tampa Bay. The Bills don't have much depth at linebacker following a major injury to Matt Milano (leg) in Week 5, so they might have to promote someone from the practice squad if Klein can't play Sunday night in Cincinnati.
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Bills' A.J. Klein: Sticking with Buffalo
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The Bills signed Klein to a one-year contract Monday, Grace Heidinger of the team's official site reports.
A season ago, Klein played in two games for the Ravens, two matchups for the Bears and six contests as a member of the Bills. The 31-year-old linebacker is currently heading into his 11th NFL campaign, and he's once again in a position to compete for a starting gig in 2023.
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Bills' A.J. Klein: Returns from COVID-19 list
Rotowire
Klein returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
Klein tested positive for COVID-19 early last week and was forced to miss two games. However, he's now been cleared to rejoin the team and will likely be available for Sunday's matchup against Carolina.
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Bills' A.J. Klein: Out for Monday night game
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The Bills placed Klein on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Monday's game against the Patriots, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.
The absence of Klein for Week 13 is an unexpected blow to a defense that just lost stud corner Tre'Davious White to a season-ending knee injury. Tyler Matakevich and Andre Smith should be in line for more snaps as the Bills try to slow down a red-hot Patriots team in a game that has huge implications for both the AFC East crown and conference seeding.
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Bills' A.J. Klein: More prominent role lies ahead
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Klein's teammates Matt Milano (hamstring) and Tremaine Edmunds (shoulder) have both been ruled out for Week 2 in Miami.
Klein is typically a starter alongside his two talented teammates, but he's the first to sit out in certain packages. That may not be the case this week, as the Bills have a whittled-down linebacker corps for the game and may be relying on Klein more than would typically be expected. Even though he'll stay on the outside, he may be the one linebacker versed enough in the Bills' defense that he could be asked to take on Edmunds' normal play-calling duties. Klein posted five tackles in Week 1, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see him equal or exceed that total against the Dolphins.
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Saints' A.J. Klein: Scores pick-six in blowout win
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Klein recorded six tackles (five solo), one interception and a touchdown in the Saints' 42-10 win over the Panthers on Sunday.
Klein tied for the team lead in tackles while recording his first interception of the season. After a rough start, he's come alive over the last three weeks, managing 15 tackles (nine solo), 2.5 sacks and a pick in that span. His lone interception was returned for a 14-yard score, and Klein will take his hot streak into the playoffs with the Saints sporting a 13-3 record.
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Saints' A.J. Klein: Back for Week 15
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Klein (knee) is clear of the injury report for Monday's game against the Colts, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.
Klein missed last week's loss to the 49ers due to the knee injury, but he'll be back on the field Monday. The 28-year-old should serve in his usual starting role at strongside linebacker Monday.
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Saints' A.J. Klein: Misses another practice
Rotowire
Klein (knee) didn't participate in practice Thursday.
Klein did not participate in practice for the second consecutive day. He logged just a 35-percent snap rate in the team's Week 13 win as a result of the injury, opening up more opportunity for Stephone Anthony and Craig Robertson. The pair would likely fill in again if he's unable to go in the team's Week 14 matchup against the 49ers.
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Saints' A.J. Klein: Snags first interception
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Klein recorded four tackles (two solo) and an interception in Thursday's win over the Falcons.
Klein's interception was the second of his career and his first with the Saints. He's having a career year for New Orleans, sitting six tackles shy of his career high with five games to go. Looking ahead, he and the Saints will take on the Cowboys in Week 13.
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Saints' A.J. Klein: Seven tackles in Week 8
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Klein made seven tackles (three solo) in Sunday night's win against the Vikings.
Klein played 56 of the Saints' 73 offensive snaps, as he continues to be a solid source of tackles as a starting outside linebacker in the Saints' base 4-3 defense.
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Saints' A.J. Klein: Splits snaps in opener
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Klein had two tackles (one solo) in Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers. He played 25 of the Saints' 66 defensive snaps.
While Demario Davis played every defensive snap, Klein, Manti Te'o (27 snaps) and Alex Anzalone (34 snaps) each saw a roughly equal amount of playing time in the opener, with only Anzalone -- who had a forced fumble -- doing much of note in an ugly defensive performance. It's only one week so it may be too early to rush to judgment, but if Klein, Te'o and Anzalone continue to split snaps, it may be difficult for IDP owners to trust any Saints linebacker except Davis.
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Saints' A.J. Klein: Expects to be ready for OTAs
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Klein (groin) is optimistic that he will be a full go in time for the start of the Saints' offseason program in the spring, reports the Herbie Teope of The New Orleans Times-Picayune.
In his first season in New Orleans, Klein appeared in 12 games -- all starts -- before suffering a season-ending groin injury in Week 14. The Saints placed Klein on injured reserve in Week 16 and he finished the season with 54 tackles (37 solo), two sacks, four pass breakups and a forced fumble. While Manti Te'o filled in admirably in his absence, Klein is expected to return as a full-time starter next season and should be a useful fantasy option in IDP leagues.
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Saints' A.J. Klein: Eight tackles in return from injury
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Klein made eight tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Rams.
Klein returned from a one-game absence due to an ankle injury to play every defensive snap for the Saints in Los Angeles. With 49 tackles on the season, the former Panther has been solid, albeit not spectacular, in his first New Orleans campaign. Still, his high snap total and role in the middle of the Saints defense makes him worthy of a roster spot in most IDP leagues.
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Saints' A.J. Klein: Set to return Sunday
Rotowire
Klein (ankle) will return to the field for Sunday's game versus the Rams, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.
Klein missed last week's overtime victory over the Redskins while nursing an ankle injury. However, he appears ready to go for Week 12 barring any setbacks. Expect him to resume his usual role starting at strongside linebacker.
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Saints' A.J. Klein: Questionable for Week 11
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Klein (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Redskins, JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington reports.
Klein practiced for the first time this week in a limited fashion Friday after suffering the injury against the Bills in Week 10. Manti Te'o would likely start if Klein is unable to play Sunday.
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Saints' A.J. Klein: Injures ankle Sunday
Rotowire
Klein hurt his ankle against the Bills on Sunday and is questionable to return, Herbie Teope of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Klein has been playing high snap counts lately, but aside for an 11-tackle performance in Week 1, he's maxed out at six tackles in a game. Manti Te'o will slot in at strong-side linebacker until Klein can return.
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Saints' A.J. Klein: First sack of season
Rotowire
Klein had four tackles and a sack in Sunday's 20-0 win against the Dolphins in London.
Not known for his pass-rushing chops -- the fifth-year pro has only five sacks in 64 career games -- Klein notched his first sack of the season in London on Sunday. In his first year in New Orleans, the linebacker leads the Saints in tackles (23 total) and should continue to be a solid fantasy asset in most IDP leagues.
