Hawthorne (hand) was released by the Bills on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran linebacker signed on with the Bills on Aug. 7, but has since fractured his hand, which will result in an extended absence from the field. The Bills decided it would be better to let the 31-year-old linebacker walk than to keep him around while he nurses the injury.

Hawthorne has a fracture in his hand, but isn't expected to miss an extended period of time, Joe Buscaglia of WKBW.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hawthorne appears to have avoided any kind of devastating injury to his hand according to coach Rex Ryan. The 31-year-old will hope to get back to full health in order to secure his spot on the Bills' roster.

Hawthorne signed a contract with the Bills on Sunday, NFL Agent Jordan Woy reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hawthorne joins the Bill's after playing in New Orleans the past-four seasons. Last year, he recorded 33 tackles and three forced fumbles while playing in 11 games. Buffalo currently has seven linebackers held out of practice due to injury, which is likely the reason they signed Hawthorne on the same day as they signed fellow linebacker Brandon Spikes. Hawthorne will slide in at inside linebacker and have a decent chance at making the final roster.

Hawthorne did not record a tackle in Thursday's game against the Falcons.

EDGE Analysis

With the return of Dannell Ellerbe to the Saints' lineup, Hawthorne's playing time has dwindled, as he played only three snaps against the Falcons, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. So long as Ellerbe is healthy, Hawthorne is not worth owning in IDP leagues.

With Dannell Ellerbe (toe) still not practicing, Hawthorne is expected to start at outside linebacker in Week 1 against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Hawthorne started most of the Saints' preseason games after Ellerbe suffered an injury in the preseason opener. Still, the Saints did not place Ellerbe on the PUP list - likely indicating the team believes Ellerbe will return sometime within the next few weeks. So long as Ellerbe is out, however, Hawthorne should continue to start, making him a solid IDP play in most leagues.

Hawthorne had two tackles in Sunday's preseason game against the Texans. With Dannell Ellerbe (undisclosed) out, the starting linebackers continue to be Hawthorne, Stephone Anthony and Hau'oli Kikaha, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

EDGE Analysis

Although he started on Sunday, Hawthorne is likely on the outside looking in for a starting linebacker position, as Ellerbe is expected to be healthy in time for Week 1, and it's becoming increasingly clear that the Saints expect Anthony to be the Week 1 starter at middle linebacker. Despite officially switching to a 4-3 defense, however, the Rob Ryan-led team is expected to show plenty of 3-4 looks and Hawthorne, who is capable of playing both inside and outside linebacker, should still see plenty of playing time. However, for a player whose fantasy value is heavily dependent on tackles, even the slight dip in playing time could have a detrimental effect on his IDP value.

According to head coach Sean Payton, Hawthorne will replace the departed Curtis Lofton as one of the Saints' starting inside linebackers, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Hawthorne was considered to be a potential salary-cap casualty this offseason, but was retained by the Saints after agreeing to a pay cut. Now, Hawthorne's new role could be a productive one, as Lofton topped 120 tackles in each of his last three seasons in New Orleans. Hawthorne has a history of injuries but if he can stay healthy, he makes for a very viable IDP option in fantasy leagues.

Hawthorne recorded 83 tackles (52 solo), one interception and three sacks - all of which came in Week 15 - in 12 games this season. Hawthorne has proven to be a capable tackler, although he offers little in terms of ancillary fantasy stats. The biggest knock on Hawthorne, however, is his ability to stay healthy, as he's missed nine games over his last three years in New Orleans. Hawthorne is due $4.5 million and salary cap and bonuses, with a cap cost of $6 million, in 2015, meaning he's likely to be released if he doesn't agree to a significant pay cut, given the Saints' drastic salary-cap restraints.

Hawthorne (hip) had five tackles (all solo) and three sacks in Monday's win against the Bears. Hawthorne isn't known as much of a blitzer, but the Saints unleashed him against a shaky Bears' offensive line, leading to impressive results. While Hawthorne continues to be a dependable fantasy commodity as a solid source of tackles, it's probably best to view his sack-happy outburst as an anomaly, as Monday's sacks were his first of the season and now make up one-fourth of his career total of 12. Still, if defensive coordinator Rob Ryan releases Hawthorne again, he will have an extremely favorable Week 16 matchup against a leaky Falcons' offensive line.

Hawthorne made ten tackles (all solo) in Sunday's win against the Steelers. When healthy, Hawthorne has been a solid source of tackles for the Saints, recording 56 stops in eight games. He's been healthy enough to suit up for New Orleans the last three weeks, and as a result, he should continue to be a viable IDP option for owners in need of tackles, even if he offers little else in the way of ancillary stats.