Two-time Pro Bowl safety Roman Harper is returning to the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network.

Rumors began to swirl last week when Harper was seen on Airline Drive in Metarie at the team's training facility, as reported by Nick Hill of The Advocate.

The starting strong safety for the 2009 Super Bowl Championship team, Harper was the second pick of the lauded Saints 2006 draft.

After 8 years with the Saints, he was released in 2014, but remained in the NFC South after signing a 2 year deal with the Carolina Panthers.

Harper will return to the Saints at age 33, entering his 11th NFL season. He and offensive tackle Zach Strief will be the last members of the '06 draft, and one of 4 players from the 2009 Super Bowl team (Drew Brees, Thomas Morstead).

While his coverage skills aren't his strong suit, he has consistently performed well against the run and near the line of scrimmage.

Last season, he played nearly 1,000 snaps for the NFC Champion Panthers.

 

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