Fleener, an unrestricted free agent, still has symptoms from the concussion he suffered Week 12 last season, Don Banks of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Released by New Orleans in May, the 29-year-old tight end hopes to continue his career but isn't sure if/when he'll be healthy enough to do so. It won't come as any surprise if he ultimately retires, considering he's been diagnosed with five concussions from playing football and has accrued more than $23 million in career earnings, per OverTheCap. That said, Fleener's agent has heard from teams with interest in signing the tight end if he can eventually pass the NFL's concussion protocol.

Saints coach Sean Payton revealed that Fleener is still working through the process of getting cleared from the concussion he suffered in November, the team's official website reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fleener said the November concussion -- which ultimately landed him on injured reserve -- was the fifth he'd suffered in his career. The Saints released him on May 7 after just two seasons of a five-year, $36 million contract, and while the concussion history may have played a role in the decision, his lack of production in 2017 (22 catches in 11 games) likely was the larger factor. Fleener still had $3.4 million in guaranteed money remaining on his contract, so he'll receive some form of payment in 2018 even if he isn't healthy enough to play. He shouldn't have too much trouble finding a new team if he regains his health and wants to continue his career. Fleener will turn 30 in September.

Fleener was released by the Saints on Monday, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Reports surfaced earlier this offseason that Fleener was likely on his way out, and now it becomes official, as the 29-year-old tight end will hit the open market after two seasons with the Saints. His 2017 campaign was cut short due to a concussion, and Fleener only appeared in 11 games and caught 22 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns. It was his lowest output since his rookie season with the Colts in 2012. Teams will surely be cautious when giving Fleener a look this offseason, as the concussion he suffered last season was already the fifth of his career.

Fleener still figures to find himself on the roster bubble this summer, Larry Holder of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fleener is entering the third season of a five-year, $36 million contract, with 54 percent of his $6.4 million base salary for 2018 guaranteed. The Saints can still free up some cap space if they release him after June 1, at which point the dead-money charge would be split between 2018 and 2019. The team likely will give Fleener one last chance to prove himself during training camp, as 37-year-old Ben Watson was the only major offseason addition at tight end. Fleener will turn 30 in September and is looking to bounce back from the concussion that ended his 2017 campaign after 11 games and 22 catches. He said at the time that it was the fifth concussion of his career.

Fleener (concussion) may be released this offseason, Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fleener has been a massive disappointment through two seasons of a five-year, $36 million contract, managing only 72 catches and five touchdowns in 27 games for the Saints. His release would be a no-brainer move if not for the fact that $3.4 million of his $6.3 million salary for 2018 is guaranteed, per overthecap.com. The Saints nonetheless figure to angle for a pay cut or release, though they may have to wait for the tight end to pass a physical after he finished 2017 on injured reserve due to a concussion. Given his inconsistent performance and worrisome concussion history, the 29-year-old tight end likely would be met with tepid interest on the open market.

Fleener (concussion) was placed on injured reserve by the Saints on Saturday, Herbie Teope of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Fleener suffered the fifth (at least) concussion of his career in last Sunday's loss to the Rams and had already been ruled out Week 13, but the team isn't taking any chances. The 29-year-old will finish the 2017 season with 22 receptions for 295 yards. The Saints brought in Garrett Griffin to bolster their tight end depth with Fleener gone for the year.

Fleener (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

EDGE Analysis

Fleener's troubling history with concussions -- he said that the one he suffered in the Week 12 loss to the Rams was the fifth of his career -- always made it rather unlikely that he would be able to avoid any missed time. Indeed, after being held out of practice throughout the week and failing to make much progress through the NFL's protocol, Fleener will be sidelined for the first time this season, paving the way for Josh Hill to serve as the Saints' starting tight end Sunday.

Fleener (concussion) isn't in line to play Sunday against the Panthers, a source informed Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Saints have yet to formally rule Fleener out for Week 13, but that seems inevitable with the tight end still in the concussion protocol after taking a hard hit to the head in last week's loss to the Rams. Fleener revealed after the contest that it was the fifth diagnosed concussion he's sustained during his career, so given that troubling history, it's certainly possibly he could be staring at a multi-game absence. With Fleener out commission for at least the game versus Carolina, look for Josh Hill to serve as the team's clear top tight end for that contest.

Fleener (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Fleener said the concussion he suffered in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Rams was the fifth of his career. In light of that information, it'll be a surprise if he's available for Sunday's game against Carolina. An absence would leave a few more targets and snaps for Josh Hill, who has mostly worked ahead of Fleener with the exception of obvious passing situations.

Fleener said the concussion he suffered in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Rams was the fifth of his career, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear if Fleener is including his time at Stanford or merely referring to his six seasons in the NFL. Either way, it's a scary number, though not an overly surprising one for a 29-year-old player at one of the league's most injury-prone positions. Fleener has already seen his role scaled back this season, but a Week 13 absence nonetheless would free up some extra snaps and targets for fellow tight end Josh Hill.