This has been a tough season for the New Orleans Saints, to say the least.
Unfortunately, things may have worsened for the fan base and the organization.
According to a statement shared by the team, former defensive end Jimmy Wilkerson has passed away.
Wilkerson spent nine seasons in the league, including the 2010 campaign with the organization.
He passed away on December 13 in Oklahoma City, and he was just 43 years old.
Wilkerson spent his collegiate career with the Oklahoma Sooners.
He was taken No. 189 overall in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft.
Wilkerson began his career with the Kansas City Chiefs before a two-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Then, he joined the Saints just after Super Bowl XLIV before finishing his career as a member of the Seattle Seahawks back in 2011.
While not the most popular figure among fans, he drew praise for being a strong and beloved presence in the locker room, even though his time with the team was short-lived.
Through 119 career appearances (21 starts), the defensive end logged 179 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 14.0 sacks, eight passes defended, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
His lone year in the Big Easy may have been one of his more productive seasons.
He logged 2.0 sacks, 16 total tackles, and two tackles for loss, including one in the team’s Wild Card playoff loss to the Seahawks.
The details of his passing haven’t been disclosed yet, and it is a shame to see him go so young.
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