Butler will be suspended for the first four games of the 2015 season for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing substances, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports.

This won't help Butler's odds of making the final roster, following a two-season stretch in which he only played in two games. Even if he does manage to stick, Butler is unlikely to have a starting role.

Butler signed with the Colts on Monday.

Butler was released by the Cardinals last week, but will now get a chance in Indianapolis. In 63 career games - all with the Cowboys - Butler has recorded 89 tackles (69 solo) and 11 sacks. To make room on their roster, the Colts waived linebacker Chris Carter on Monday.

Butler was released by the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Butler missed all of last season while recovering from an ACL tear and failed to make the Saints' roster during training camp. He'll now hit the open market and seek to land with a team in search of veteran help at linebacker.

Butler signed with the Cardinals on Tuesday.

Butler was cut by the Saints in training camp after he was slow to recover from an ACL tear that sidelined him all of last season. He'll provide the Cardinals with some depth at outside linebacker.

Butler (undisclosed) will be released by the Saints, Kristian Garic of 105.3 FM reports.

Butler has been injured for a large chunk of training camp, and with the linebacker carrying a $1.5 million cap hit, the Saints determined that he was expendable. Even if he had returned to full health, Butler had little chance of beating out either Junior Galette or Keyunta Dawson for either of the starting jobs at outside linebacker.

After a fast start to training camp, Butler (undisclosed) has been sidelined for nearly two weeks, including missing Wednesday's final practice in West Virginia, with an undisclosed injury, reports ESPN.com.

In the Saints' unofficial depth chart released last week in advance of the team's first preseason game, Butler was listed behind both Junior Galette and Keyunta Dawson at one of the starting outside linebacker positions. Butler's shot at a starting spot - and his path of fantasy relevance - is in serious jeopardy, and he may even find himself out of a roster spot if he can't show the Saints he can stay on the field.

After missing all of last season after tearing his ACL in training camp, Butler has exchanged reps with Parys Haralson on the first team defense throughout the early portion of training camp, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.

Butler was signed as a free agent last season from Dallas, where he played under current Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. A talented pass-rusher, Butler is somewhat of a wild card this season given his recovery from last year's serious knee injury, but he has experience in Ryan's 3-4 defense and could be a solid source of sacks in IDP leagues if he can beat out Haralson for a starting spot at outside linebacker.

Saints OLB Victor Butler has been a full participant in OTAs.

ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett reports the team had "high hopes" for OLB Victor Butler before he tore his ACL last June.

Butler inked a two-year deal last March but missed the 2013 season. His return should give New Orleans' pass rush a big jolt. Butler managed 11 sacks across four seasons in Dallas on very limited snaps behind DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. Butler's addition should allow DC Rob Ryan to play more odd fronts.

Saints OLB Victor Butler could have voided the 2014 season on his contract by playing 57.5 percent of New Orleans' 2013 defensive downs.

Instead, Butler remains the Saints' property for $1.4 million after missing the entire season with a torn ACL. Still just 26 years old, Butler's healthy return could give DC Rob Ryan's defense a 2014 spark. He was a very efficient pass rusher in Dallas, despite playing limited snaps behind DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. The Saints need an explosive bookend for Junior Galette.

Saints OLB Victor Butler (knee) hopes to be full go for OTAs.

Saints placed OLB Victor Butler on injured reserve with a knee injury, ending his season.

Butler had been on reserve/PUP after tearing his ACL in June. His three-week window to be activated closed on Wednesday. Butler was never expected to contribute this season. He signed a two-year, $3 million deal last March.

Saints OLB Victor Butler (knee, PUP) has resumed practicing.

The Saints now have a three-week window to activate Butler. He's just four months removed from tearing up his knee, and is not expected to contribute this season despite today's news. Butler is signed through 2014. Provided he's healthy, he should earn a roster spot next summer. Butler was viewed as an ascendant player before going down.

Saints placed OLB Victor Butler (ACL surgery) on the reserve/PUP list.

Butler is technically eligible to return in Week 8, but is fully expected to miss the whole season after going down in June. Perhaps the Saints' dire pass-rushing situation has them taking an optimistic view with Butler's recovery, but it's a hail mary that's not going to connect. Signed through 2014, Butler should be 100 percent for next summer's camp. He was an ascendant player before going down.

Saints placed OLB Victor Butler (ACL surgery) on the active/PUP list.

Whereas many active/PUPers come off the list to practice in camp, that won't be happening with Butler. He'll be transferred to the reserve/PUP list at final cuts. Butler tore the ACL at June minicamps. Reserve/PUP costs players a minimum of six games, but Butler is an extreme long shot to play in 2013.

Saints OLB Victor Butler will undergo ACL reconstructive surgery on Tuesday.

Butler tore his ACL in practice on Wednesday in a collision with Mark Ingram. He'll almost certainly be placed on season-ending injured reserve. Martez Wilson is in the driver's seat for the starting SAM linebacker spot opposite Junior Galette. Butler's injury may force the Saints to keep Will Smith.

A source tells the Times-Picayune that Saints OLB Victor Butler tore his ACL during Tuesday's practice.

After showing significant potential as a pass-rusher in a part-time role with the Cowboys over the last four seasons, Butler went shopping for playing time in free agency. He landed a two-year, $3 million contract with the Saints and was expected to start at the SAM linebacker spot in Rob Ryan's 3-4 scheme. Now he's looking at a season on the injured reserve list, leaving Martez Wilson as the next man up. The injury happened during a collision with Mark Ingram during what was supposed to be a non-contact practice.

Saints signed OLB Victor Butler to a two-year contract.

Butler, 25, has 11 career sacks and four forced fumbles across four seasons, though he's only played 803 career snaps, per Pro Football Focus. The typical starting 3-4 rush linebacker plays 900-1,000 snaps. While Butler is considered a weak run defender, he has edge speed the Saints desperately need. He also played for new New Orleans defensive coordinator Rob Ryan in Dallas last year. Butler will compete for a starting job with Junior Galette, Will Smith, Martez Wilson, and whomever the Saints add in April's draft. We like Butler's chances of at least earning a significant role in sub-packages -- pass-rush downs.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Saints "plan" to sign free agent OLB Victor Butler.

Schefter didn't report a deal is done, but it'd be a nice pickup for New Orleans as Rob Ryan installs a 3-4 defense. The Saints are needy at outside-rush 'backer and Butler spent the last four seasons backing up DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer in Dallas. Still only 25 years old, Butler has flashed big-time pass-rush ability in past spot play. He is also a plus special teamer.

Free agent OLB Victor Butler left his Eagles visit without a contract, but the sides have "mutual interest" in getting a deal done.

Butler's visit to contract ratio is now 0:4, suggesting his asking price simply isn't in line with his market value. With no other trips currently scheduled, however, it's possible he's on the verge of finally making a decision.