The Facts: Hoomanawanui, who spent the 2016 season on injured reserve with a high-ankle injury, is present and cleared for participation for the start of the Saints offseason conditioning program, according to a source familiar with the situation. The source adds Hoomanawanui is "good to go."
Diehards Line:As Times-Picayune staffer Herbie Teope reminded readers, the 6-4, 265-pound Hoomanawanui suffered the ankle injury during the third preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Saints placed him on injured reserve as part of the personnel moves to get to the initial 53-man roster. Hoomanawanui, a hard-nosed blocker, arrived in New Orleans in 2015 via a trade with the New England Patriots. He appeared in 14 games with eight starts that season, while totaling 11 catches for 79 yards and three touchdowns.