New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton was happy to discuss one of his team’s latest additions this week: offensive lineman Derek Newton, who agreed to a two-year contract.
Newton’s NFL journey began well, earning a starting gig at right tackle and a five-year contract with the Houston Texans. Pretty good for having joined them in the final round of the 2011 NFL Draft. But a series of knee injuries climaxed with disaster: his 2016 season was cut short when he tore the patellar tendon in each knee on the same awful play.
The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Newton took a long road in his return to the NFL.