The New Orleans Saints announced today that they have signed safety Rafael Bush to a one-year contract. The announcement was made by Saints' Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis.

Bush, 5-11, 205, returns to New Orleans for 2017 after previously spending the 2012-15 seasons with the Black and Gold as a contributor on both defense and special teams. Bush appeared in 40 games with 14 starts over those four seasons, recording 134 tackles (85 solo), one interceptions, 10 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 20 special teams stops and one coverage fumble recovery. Since originally being signed as an undrafted free agent by Atlanta in 2010 out of South Carolina State, the Williston, S.C. native has played in 62 games with 18 starts and has posted 182 tackles (116 solo), one sack, three picks, 13 passes defensed, 28 special teams stops and the coverage fumble recovery.

After suffering a season-ending chest injury in Week One of the 2015 season for New Orleans, Bush played in all 16 games for the Detroit Lions in 2016 with four starts and finished fifth on the team with 48 tackles (31 solo) and added a one sack, two interception to tie for the team lead, three passes defensed and five special teams stops (three solo).