The Facts: Hightower is re-signing with the New Orleans Saints, according to a source. The two sides met last week and have agreed to initial terms on a new contract.

Diehards Line: Hightower, 29, has had a difficult path in the NFL and was out of football for several years after tearing his ACL in 2011. He was cut twice by the Saints this season before being re-signed in the middle of the year as a late-season replacement for the injured Khiry Robinson. Hightower didn't play a game for four years and signed a futures contract with the Saints in January of 2015, presumably as a camp body and a long shot to make the team. The Saints had just invested a significant amount of money in running back Mark Ingram, acquired free agent C.J. Spiller and also had a talented backup in Robinson. Hightower wound up playing in eight games for New Orleans in 2016, rushing for 375 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 12 passes for 129 yards. That seemed to be enough for the Saints to allow Robinson to go elsewhere. Robinson was a restricted free agent but the Saints did not extend a qualifying offer, which would have allowed them to match any contract he received. He signed with the Jets last month.