The Saints have waived Leonard, the team's official site reports. Fellow RB Edwin Baker was re-assigned to the team's practice squad, moves that would appear to foreshadow the possible return of Pierre Thomas, who returned to practice on Thursday.

Leonard signed with the Saints on Wednesday, ESPN.com reports. Leonard arrives in a banged-up backfield, as both Khiry Robinson (arm) and Pierre Thomas (shoulder) have logged multi-game absences to date. In addition, rookie back Edwin Baker sustained a concussion this past Sunday, which leaves Mark Ingram, Travaris Cadet, and Erik Lorig as the sole healthy options. If the 30-year-old Leonard makes a mark, it will likely occur in a pass-catching role due to 993 career receiving yards versus 828 on the ground.

Brian Leonard rushed for 35 yards on five carries in Week 17 against the Saints. Leonard appeared in all 16 games this season and rushed for 182 yards on 47 carries and caught 29 passes for 179 yards. It was actually his most productive season since his rookie year of 2007 with the Rams. Leonard is set to become a free agent in March and should find a gig as a quality pass protector and third-down back.

Brian Leonard caught one pass for four yards in Tampa's Week 16 loss to the Rams. Leonard was held without a carry as Bobby Rainey got bottled up for 37 yards on 20 carries. An impending free agent, Leonard is going to have trouble getting guaranteed money on the open market.

Bucs RB Brian Leonard rushed once for 12 yards in Tampa Bay's Week 15 loss to the 49ers. Clear lead back Bobby Rainey handled 12 touches. Purely from a fantasy perspective, Leonard has been worthless since the Bucs installed Rainey ahead of him following Doug Martin and Mike James' year-ending injuries.

Brian Leonard rushed seven times for 26 yards in the Bucs' Week 14 win over the Bills. He did not get involved in the passing game, which is ordinarily Leonard's bread and butter. His carries were spiked a bit by the fact that the Bucs were winning all day and it became a 27-6 blowout victory by game's end. Leonard is just a low-upside Bobby Rainey handcuff for fantasy football purposes.

Brian Leonard was held without a carry in Tampa's Week 13 loss to the Panthers, catching two passes for 10 yards. Buried behind Bobby Rainey on the depth chart, Leonard has just four touches over his past two games. He's off the PPR-league radar for the fantasy playoffs.

Coach Greg Schiano said he expects to use Brian Leonard and Bobby Rainey in a timeshare going forward.

Brian Leonard rushed for 57 yards on 20 carries in Week 10 against the Dolphins. Leonard added two catches for 16 yards. After Mike James fractured his left ankle on the opening drive, Leonard was thrust into lead-back duties. He looked okay on his first few totes but predictably wore down and ceded work to Bobby Rainey, who showed more juice as a runner. James is "out indefinitely." If we were to guess, we'd bet Rainey handles early-down work while Leonard sticks to his passing-down duties in Week 11 against the Falcons. Leonard will be worth a look in deeper PPR leagues, but don't count on him carrying the rock 20 times in one game again.

Brian Leonard rushed five times for 20 yards and caught four passes for 48 yards in the Bucs' Week 9 loss to Seattle. Leonard is the No. 2 back in Tampa Bay behind Mike James, and will stay in that role until Doug Martin (shoulder) returns, assuming that happens at all. Leonard is not worth owning in 10- and 12-team fantasy leagues.