Kikaha was waived by the Saints on Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Kikaha, a second-pick of the Saints in 2015, played in 27 games for New Orleans over the course of three seasons, recording 52 tackles in that span. If he clears waivers, he'll become a free agent.
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Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha: Plays 22 defensive snaps Friday
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Kikaha (ankle) logged 28 total snaps in Friday's preseason loss to the Cardinals.
Kikaha, whose 2017 campaign ended on IR with an ankle injury, returned to game action Friday when he played 22 defensive snaps in Week 2 of the preseason. He's competing for a roster spot behind starting outside linebackers A.J. Klein and Demario Davis.
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Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha: Expected back for OTAs
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Kikaha (ankle) said Tuesday that he'll be available for the start of the Saints' Organized Team Activities in the spring, Herbie Teope of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. "I'm ready [for OTAs} right now," Kikaha said.
It's unclear if the Saints would verify Kikaha's claim about his health at this juncture, but it looks promising nonetheless that the defensive end will face no limitations entering the Saints' offseason program. Before hitting injured reserve prior to Week 17, Kikaha was effective in his rotational role along the defensive line, providing 10 tackles and four sacks across 12 contests.
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Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha: Lands on injured reserve
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Kikaha (ankle) was placed on injured reserve by the Saints on Thursday, The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Kikaha sustained the injury in Sunday's win over the Falcons and has had a limited role on the Saints' defense this season. The 2015 second-round pick finishes the 2017 season with 10 tackles and four sacks in 12 games.
Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha: Medically cleared for training camp
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Kikaha (knee) has been medically cleared for training camp, Amos Morale III of NOLA.com reports.
Kikaha tore his ACL during OTAs over a year ago, and he's finally recovered. The former second-round pick participated in team drills Thursday without any signs of his knee slowing him down and noted that he "feels great physically." Barring any setbacks, he projects to start at defensive end in Week 1.
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Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha: Aiming for training camp return
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Kikaha (knee) is aiming to be fully recovered in time for training camp, Herbie Teope of The Times-Picayune reports.
Kikaha tore his ACL during OTAs over a year ago but is inching closer and closer to taking the field once again. Look for more updates to come when training camp nears, as the defensive lineman will likely remain doing limited repetitions for the remainder of minicamp.
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Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha: Could start at defensive end
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Kikaha (knee) is one of the leading candidates to start at defensive end for the Saints, according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com.
A 2015 second-round pick out of Washington, Kikaha racked up 52 tackles, four sacks, two passes defensed and four forced fumbles in 15 games during his rookie campaign. The young pass rusher was expected to start at defensive end across from Cameron Jordan in 2016, but he missed the entire season after tearing his ACL during OTAs. Although the Saints signed former Cardinal Alex Okafor and drafted defensive ends Trey Hendrickson and Al-Quadin Muhammad in the third and sixth rounds, respectively, of the 2017 NFL Draft, Kikaha remains the most likely candidate to start at defensive end, assuming he's healthy.
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Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha: Back in workouts
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Kikaha (knee) was present for the beginning of the Saints' offseason workout program Monday, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Kikaha missed all of last season after suffering his third torn ACL since starting college at Washington in 2010. That unfortunate occurrence followed an impressive rookie campaign in which Kikaha finished with 52 tackles, four sacks, and four fumbles forced. Although the Saints will rightfully be cautious with Kikaha going forward, having him participate in offseason workouts represents the first step in ensuring he returns to the fold this season.
Kikaha (knee) was moved to the Saints' reserve/PUP list Tuesday, ESPN reports.
Kikaha suffered a torn ACL during OTAs. While his placement on this specific list infers he could return in the middle of the season, Kikaha will more than likely be sidelined for the entire campaign given the timing of his injury.
Kikaha (knee) was placed on the Saints' active/PUP list, ESPN.com reports.
Kikaha had torn his left ACL during the Saints' offseason program in June, so his placement on the PUP list is an optimistic move by GM Mickey Loomis that will give the second-rounder an outside chance of returning later on in the season.
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Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha: Tears ACL
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Kikaha has torn his ACL and will likely miss the entire 2016 season, Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1 reports.
Kikaha, who was a 2015 second-round pick out of Washington, was expected to start at defensive end across from Cameron Jordan for the Saints in 2016 after a rookie campaign in which he racked up 52 tackles, four sacks, two passes defensed, and four forced fumbles in 15 games. Obum Gwachum will be the next candidate in line to fill Kikaha's role after an unfortunate turn of events for New Orleans. Kikaha suffered the same devastating injury twice in college, but was able to come back strong both times, which the team hopes will be the case once again.
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Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha: Likely to move to defensive end
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According to ESPN.com's Mike Triplett, it appears likely that Kikaha, who played primarily at outside linebacker in his rookie campaign, will move to more of a full-time defensive end role in 2016.
After Kikaha racked up a whopping 19 sacks his senior year at Washington, the Saints drafted the 6-3, 246-pound defensive end in second round of the 2015 NFL Draft and converted him to outside linebacker. Kikaha had a terrific start as a playmaking edge rusher last season, managing four sacks and three forced fumbles in the first six weeks. However, his performance really dropped off during the second half of the season, as he suffered a nagging ankle injury and struggled through rookie mistakes and inconsistency. With the Saints thus far failing to add a defensive end in free agency or the draft, it makes sense to move Kikaha back to his more natural position on the defensive line, where his pass rushing skills can really shine.
Kikaha (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Texans.
Kikaha, who ranks second on the Saints with four sacks, will reclaim his starting spot on the outside after the Saints' recent bye week afforded him enough time to recover from the ankle ailment.
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Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha: Active for Sunday's game at Washington
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Kikaha (ankle) is active for Sunday's game at Washington.
Kikaha only missed one game with the ankle injury and is expected to be available for a full workload against the Skins.
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Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha: Probable to return
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Kikaha (ankle) is listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Redskins.
Kikaha is expected to return after missing just one game, and he'll likely play most of the defensive snaps. He only has 38 tackles in eight appearances, but with four sacks and three forced fumbles to pad the stat line.
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Saints' Hau'oli Kikaha: Limited Thursday
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Kikaha (ankle) was limited at Thursday's practice, the Saints' official site reports.
Through the first eight games of his career, Kikaha has a healthy combination of tackles (38) and sacks (four) for an outside linebacker. While he didn't take the field in Week 9 due to an ankle injury, his ability to log limited practices Wednesday and Thursday sets the foundation for a return Sunday at Washington. Still, owners in IDP formats should check in Friday to get a handle on his game-day designation.
