Three Defensive Starts Out for New Orleans

Shapecity · Sep 13, 2008

METAIRIE, La. -- For a New Orleans Saints defense showing improvement from a year ago already through one week, this will come as a blow to the unit as three defensive starters won't play against the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

Strong safety Roman Harper (hamstring), cornerback Randall Gay (hamstring) and linebacker Scott Fujita (knee) will be out and all three missed Friday's practice. All three players missed every practice this week after sustaining injuries during last week's win against Tampa Bay.

Linebacker Mark Simoneau was put on injured reserve with a lingering back injury. Saints coach Sean Payton said it's the same injury that sidelined tight Mark Campbell last year. Payton also said defensive end Josh Savage will be brought up to the active roster for Sunday's game.

Others listed as out are running back Aaron Stecker (hamstring), wide receiver Marques Colston (thumb) and defensive tackle Antwan Lake (groin).

Payton said Fujita's knee bruise was bad enough to keep him off the field and had no ligament- or tendon-related issues with his knee.

"Yeah, I'm very optimistic in that (it only keeps him out this week)," Fujita said. "Hopefully by Monday I can run around a little bit and see how that goes. (Thursday) I rode the bike pretty aggressively, but that means nothing. I just hope to move it aggressively (on the field) for a change. We'll see."

Gay struggled with the flu earlier in the week and had to go to the hospital for treatment. He and Harper also left last Sunday's game in the second half with their respective injuries.

The likely replacements could go Troy Evans starting for Fujita, Aaron Glenn for Gay and Kevin Kaesviharn could move to strong safety, allowing Josh Bullocks to start at free safety. Jason Craft could become the nickel corner back.

Payton also offered up the possibility of second-year linebacker Marvin Mitchell and free-agent rookie Jo-Lonn Dunbar as suitors to replace Fujita.

Evans was listed on the depth chart as the No. 2 weakside linebacker behind Scott Shanle last year, but Evans feels he's fully capable of stepping in for Fujita.

"They actually had me learn pretty much all three during camp and OTAs," Evans said. "I feel comfortable with them getting fresh with some reps and getting that into your mind and go out there and play. It's the same game you've been playing since you were a kid."

Simoneau lost his starting job to Jonathan Vilma, but the Saints were looking to use him as a reliable backup. Simoneau missed much of the last month of practice because of his back injury. He actually practiced Wednesday for the first time in a couple of weeks, but the injured vertebra didn't respond well. Simoneau received an epidural.
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Source: SunHerald

Vintage · Sep 13, 2008

Darn. Really want the Saints to beat the Skins this week. Losing Colston is a big loss. Fujita is pretty JAG so its not too big of a blow, assuming they have a little LB depth.

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Three Defensive Starts Out for New Orleans

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Three Defensive Starts Out for New Orleans

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

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