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Written by Brian Allee-Walsh, NewOrleans.Com's Saints Beat | Thursday, 19 November 2009 17:25 | Saints News
METAIRIE - An injured left knee kept Saints running back Reggie Bush out his second consecutive practice Thursday, leaving his status in doubt for Sunday’s road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Bush presumably was receiving treatment and was unavailable for comment but Coach Sean Payton filled in reporters after the practice.
“There’s swelling still,’’ Payton said. “We backed off it today and we just have to see where it’s at tomorrow and monitor his progress and rehab.’’
Bush is coming off his best game of the season, accounting for 103 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in Sunday’s 28-23 win against the St. Louis Rams.
He practiced with a brace on his left knee last Friday but played without it against the Rams.
“He had some swelling and some soreness in it (after the game),’’ Payton said. “He got some treatment earlier in the week. We’re just trying to see if we can get it close to 100 percent right now.
“We’ll see where he’s at tomorrow. I hope we can practice him tomorrow. But at the same time, I don’t want to set him back.’’
Other injuries of note: WR Lance Moore (ankle), CB Jabari Greer (groin) and CB Tracy Porter (knee) did not practice. FS Darren Sharper (knee), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle) and DT Sedrick Ellis (knee) practiced on a limited basis.
PERSONNEL MATTERS: New Saints cornerback Chris McAlister signed a one-year deal at the veteran’s minimum of $845,000, meaning he will make a prorated salary of approximately $350,000 for the remaining seven regular season games. His contract does not include any incentive bonuses.
In other contract news, Sharper will not earn an additional dime if he makes the Pro Bowl, according to the terms of his one year, $1.7 million contract. He is second in the NFL in interceptions with seven, including an NFL-best three returned for touchdowns. … Cornerback Jabari Greer will earn a $125,000 bonus if he makes the Pro Bowl, according to the terms of his four-year, $22 million contract. … Also, the Saints are approximately $4.9 million under the salary cap, according to league sources.
ODDS AND ENDS: For the first time since the last game of his senior season at SMU, Saints rookie punter/kicker Thomas Morstead tried his hand at a long-distance field goal during live team drills Thursday. He missed wide left on a 56-yard attempt but apparently showed Saints special teams coordinator Greg McMahon and Payton that he has the leg strength from that distance if called upon during a game. … Part of the Saints success this season is their ability to run and pass the ball effectively. Of the Saints 592 plays from scrimmage through nine games, 288 have been running plays and 291 have been passing plays. … Sharper distributed 30 Who Dat T-shirts to teammates that bear the words “Sharper Shake,’’ referring to his unique interception dance. More T-shirts are on the way, he said. … The Saints worked outdoors for a second consecutive day, partly because of the forgiving grass surface at the team’s training facility on Airline Drive and partly because of Sunday’s game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Sunday’s weather in Tampa calls for a high of 79 with a 30 percent chance of isolated thunderstorms.
WORTH REPEATING: “I’ve been at places where you just did without. All of a sudden, you get one of those defensive tackles to play corner or something like that. We always have a short list. I think (Saints director of pro scouting) Ryan Pace and his group do a tremendous job on who’s on the short list and bringing them in. I selfishly like veterans at this time of year because I don’t have to catch them up as much. There are certain things he already knows about the National Football League, so we’ll have to wait and see. He fits in well.’’ _ Saints defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams on McAlister and the possibility of him playing against the Buccaneers.
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