Hitting free agency

The Saints aren't expected to tender Lewis a contract for 2019 ahead of Wednesday's deadline, making him an unrestricted free agent, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis: Lewis suited up for seven games with the Saints during an injury-plagued 2018 season, posting three catches for 60 yards and one touchdown in addition to his work on the punt-return unit. The 26-year-old has done most of his damage on special teams throughout his three-year career and seems unlikely to see a substantial role on offense no matter where he might land next.

Primary punt returner

Lewis returned three punts for eight yards but played only five offensive snaps in Sunday's divisional-round playoff win over the Eagles.

Analysis: Lewis had a mere three catches for 60 yards and a touchdown in an injury-plagued regular season in which he played just seven games. Even had he been healthy, however, the 5-foot-7 slot receiver has largely been limited to special-teams work during his three-year career, a trend that is unlikely to change in the future due to his small stature.

Reels in 20-yard pass

Lewis caught his only target for a 20-yard gain during Sunday's 28-14 win over the Buccaneers.

Analysis: The diminutive receiver has been targeted just twice this season, gaining at least 20 yards each time. The Saints have had a revolving door opposite Michael Thomas, but even with his big-play ability, Lewis has been unable to establish himself. We'd be surprised if he catches on now, even in a favorable matchup Sunday against a Carolina pass defense ranked in the bottom half of the league in receiving yards (269 per game).

Won't play Thursday

Lewis (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Cowboys, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis: Lewis will not suit up against the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. The 26-year-old's absence is notably not due to injury, it simply seems that with Tre'Quan Smith back in the starting lineup Lewis is the odd man out in New Orleans' scheme. Alvin Kamara and Austin Carr should see work returning punts in Lewis' absence.

Scores touchdown in return

Lewis caught one pass for a 28-yard touchdown in Thursday's win against the Falcons.

Analysis: Lewis landed on injured reserve following a Week 2 knee injury but he quickly made his presence felt in his return, catching a touchdown on the Saints' first drive. While Lewis was quiet thereafter, the diminutive receiver played 28 of the Saints' 57 offensive snaps. Still, Tre'Quan Smith (toe), who missed Thursday's game, is expected to return to action next week, so Lewis will likely soon return to a reserve role. He can probably remain on the waiver wire in most leagues.

Returns from IR

The Saints activated Lewis (knee) from injured reserve Wednesday, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis: Lewis landed on IR following Week 2 with the knee injury, but he resumed practicing four weeks ago and feels good about where he stands from a health standpoint, per Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate. The Saints evidently concurred, so Lewis will return to the 53-man roster to add depth to a receiver room that still has four members remaining on IR. Lewis could challenge Austin Carr for slot duties in three-wideout formations alongside Michael Thomas and Tre'Quan Smith (foot), but it's…read more

Close to 100 percent

Head coach Sean Payton said Thursday that Lewis (knee) has looked good in practice and is "close to 100 percent", Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis: Lewis has been on injured reserve due to a knee injury since Sept. 19 and finally returned to practice Oct. 31. The earliest Lewis could be activated from IR is in Week 12, but as evidenced by this news, that seems entirely possible. With the Saints adding Dez Bryant to the receiving corps Thursday, it's unlikely Lewis would provide any solid fantasy value if he's reinstated.

Returns to practice

The Saints cleared Lewis (knee) to return to practice Wednesday, Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate reports.

Analysis: Lewis' return to practice opens up a three-week window during which the Saints can evaluate the wideout and return specialist for a return from injured reserve. The 26-year-old is unlikely to hold a major role on offense if the Saints reinstate him to the 53-man roster.

Placed on IR

Lewis (knee) was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate reports.

Analysis: The reason for Lewis' placement on injured reserve remains undisclosed, as does the exact nature of his injury. It was initially reported that the 25-year-old suffered a knee injury in Week 2's tilt against the Browns, but Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate reports that Lewis also sustained a neck injury while attempting to return a punt. Ted Ginn should serve as New Orleans' primary punt returner going forward, unless the team elects to dedicate a depth player to the role.

Questionable to return to Sunday's game

Lewis is questionable to return to Sunday's game after suffering a knee injury, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis: The severity of Lewis' knee issue is not yet known. If he's held out for an extended period of time, Ted Ginn could be asked to help out on kick returns.

Returns to practice

Lewis returned to practice on Monday, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Analysis: Lewis did not play in last week's preseason opener due to an undisclosed injury and he remained sidelined through the weekend. Despite Lewis' return to practice, Brandon Tate continued to take snaps as the primary punt returner. Lewis has been deployed only sparingly as a receiver the last two years due to his diminutive stature (5-foot-7, 170 pounds), so he will likely need to overtake Tate as the team's primary returner if he's to earn a place on the final 53-man roster when the Saints break…read more

Remains sidelined

Lewis (undisclosed) is present at Saturday's practice but is still sidelined, Joel A. Erickson of The Baton Rouge Advocate reports.

Analysis: While Lewis is still out with his undisclosed injury, his presence at practice is definitely encouraging. Lewis will remain day-to-day until the Saints can provide a more detailed update on his status.

Likely out for preseason opener

Lewis (undisclosed) isn't expected to play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Jaguars due to an injury suffered in practice Sunday, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis: Lewis is aiming to find a role with the Saints as a return man in 2018, but he will miss out on an opportunity to make a mark in Week 1 of the preseason. Assuming the issue isn't serious, his next chance to return to game action arrives next Friday against the Cardinals.

Battling for role as return man

Lewis is battling for his roster spot as a returner with the competition wide open at the position, Joel Erickson of the New Orleans Advocate reports.

Analysis: Lewis has averaged 9.8 yards per punt return and 21.9 yards per kickoff return the past two seasons, but he'll once again be forced top compete for his role on special teams throughout training camp. At just 5-foot-7 and 170 pounds, his clearest route to the 53-man roster will come in the return game, as his slight stature figures to limit him to minimal time at wide receiver.

Lewis played only one offensive snap in Sunday's 29-24 NFC divisional-round loss to the Vikings. He finished the 2017 regular season with 10 catches for 116 yards and a touchdown and two carries for 14 yards in 15 games. He also averaged 23.6 yards on 13 kickoff returns and 8.2 yards on 14 punt returns.

Analysis: Lewis never topped 16 offensive snaps in any game this season but saw some playing time as a slot receiver early in the season. During the second half of the year, however, Lewis was almost exclusively limited to special-teams work. With both Willie Snead and Brandon Coleman restricted free agents this offseason, there's an outside chance that Lewis could see his role grow next season if neither returns. At 5-foot-7, however, it seems more likely that Lewis will remain a gadget player in the…read more

Lewis gained six yards on one carry in Sunday's 31-19 win against the Jets. He also returned one kickoff for 25 yards and five punts for 36 total yards.

Analysis: Lewis saw an uptick in playing time (15 of 68 offensive snaps -- 22 percent) with Ted Ginn sidelined with a rib injury, but he was held without a target. While Lewis should continue to contribute in the return game, he is unlikely to garner many looks in the Saints' offense, particularly with Ginn expected to return to the lineup next week.