With their linebacker corps decimated by injury and suspension, the New Orleans Saints have traded an undisclosed future draft pick to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for veteran linebacker Barrett Ruud.
Saints general manager Mickey Loomis announced the move Monday, according to the team's official website.
Ruud, 29, signed with the Seahawks in April after spending the 2011 season in a part-time role with the Tennessee Titans. An eight-year NFL veteran, Rudd's best season came with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009, when he had 142 tackles.
The Saints have serious depth issues at linebacker. It was reported Monday that Curtis Lofton and David Hawthorne are battling injuries that are expected to keep them out for the remainder of the preseason. Chris Chamberlain tore his anterior cruciate ligament during Friday's 27-24 preseason loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ramon Humber had been slated to serve as the starting middle linebacker while Lofton is out, though Humber is suspended for the first three games of the season for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy. Jonathan Vilma is appealing a season-long suspension for his role in the "bounty" scandal.
In other words, Ruud can't get to NOLA soon enough for interim coach Joe Vitt.
Follow Dan Hanzus on Twitter @danhanzus.