The New Orleans Saints' Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced today the team has claimed CB Jerome Murphy off of waivers from the St. Louis Rams and released CB Elbert Mack.

Murphy, 6-0, 200, is a third-year cornerback from the University of South Florida, who originally was a third round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams in the 2010 NFL Draft. In his rookie season, the Elizabeth, N.J. native played in 14 games for the Rams and posted 30 tackles (17 solo), one interception, two pass defenses, seven special teams stops and one special teams fumble recovery. He missed the entire 2011 season with an ankle injury. Murphy started 25 of 52 career games in his college career for the Bulls, tallying 202 tackles (148 solo), eight interceptions, 18 pass defenses, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He departed USF with his 52 games played the most by a USF player.

Mack, 5-10, 175, was a fifth-year cornerback signed by New Orleans in the offseason from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who he originally joined as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He had appeared in 58 career games with four starts for Tampa Bay and registered 77 tackles (65 solo), 11 passes defensed, five interceptions with one return for a touchdown and 30 special teams tackles.