NEW ORLEANS (AP) – Cameron Meredith caught two passes for 72 yards and a touchdown, helping the New Orleans Saints beat the Los Angeles Rams 28-0 in the teams’ preseason finale Thursday night.
The former Bears wide receiver was one of the top free agents signed by the Saints, who brought him in even though he had major knee surgery last fall. Meredith’s rehab from the injury has gone well, but he was limited in training camp and didn’t catch a pass in the first three preseason games.
Meredith caught a 56-yard pass from Taysom Hill to set up rookie Boston Scott’s 4-yard touchdown run for the game’s first score in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Hill threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Meredith for a 12-0 halftime lead.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Cameron Meredith (81) celebrates his touchdown reception in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Rams in New Orleans, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Hill targeted Meredith throughout the first half, overthrowing him on a 2-point conversion attempt and a third-down pass into the end zone before Wil Lutz’s 34-yard field goal. That made it 15-0 for the Saints (3-1).
In the third quarter, two linebackers competing for one of the final spots on the Saints’ roster teamed up for a touchdown. Colton Jumper blocked a punt, Jayrone Elliott picked up the ball and ran 2 yards for a touchdown.
Jonathan Williams ran 3 yards for a touchdown that completed the scoring in the fourth quarter.
New Orleans quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, acquired in a trade with the New York Jets on Wednesday, was on the Saints’ sideline but was not in uniform and didn’t play.
The Rams (2-2), like the Saints, rested most of their starters in order to focus on players competing for the final roster spots. LA coach Sean McVay didn’t play any of his offensive starters in the preseason.
Third-year quarterback Brandon Allen started in place of Jared Goff and played into the third quarter, going 7 of 13 for 57 yards and an interception.
Rookie free agent Nick Holley, a converted quarterback from Kent State, started in place of Todd Gurley and rushed 11 times for 31 yards.
INJURIES
Rams: No injuries.
Saints: G Andrus Peat went to the locker room accompanied by a member of the training staff in the first quarter and did not return. He underwent surgery for a broken fibula and ligament damage in January. DT Taylor Stallworth was escorted to the sideline by trainers after being tended to in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
Rams: visit Oakland on Sept. 10.
Saints: host Tampa Bay on Sept. 9.
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New Orleans Saints linebacker Colton Jumper (58) blocks a punt by Los Angeles Rams kicker Sam Ficken (5) that was returned for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Teammates mob New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Michael Ola (65) after he returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Rams in New Orleans, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
Los Angeles Rams defensive back Steven Parker (38) intercepts a pass intended for New Orleans Saints wide receiver Dan Arnold (85) in the first half of an NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
New Orleans Saints defensive back Marcus Williams (25) tries to recover a fumble lay Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Fred Brown (13) in the second half of an NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Fred Brown fumbles between New Orleans Saints defensive back Marcus Williams (25) and linebacker Nate Stupar (54) as he is tackled by New Orleans Saints cornerback Kam Moore in the second half of an NFL preseason football game in New Orleans, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Michael Ola (65) picks up a punt that was blocked by linebacker Colton Jumper (58) and returns it for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Rams in New Orleans, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
New Orleans Saints celebrate after a punt was blocked and returned for a touchdown in the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Los Angeles Rams in New Orleans, Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (AP Photo/Bill Feig)
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