For the second time in seven days, New Orleans Saints officials tapped into their short list of available free agent cornerbacks to restock their injury-strapped secondary.

Veteran cornerback Mike McKenzie, 33, rejoins the Saints after signing a one-year contract Monday. He was released by the Saints on March 19 after suffering his second major knee injury in as many seasons. He tore an ACL in 2007 and fractured his right kneecap a year ago, both resulting in season-ending surgical procedures.

In order to make room for McKenzie on the 53-man roster, cornerback Leigh Torrence has been placed on season-ending injured reserve, a team official confirmed. Torrence injured his left shoulder in Sunday’s 38-7 drubbing of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.

Last Tuesday, former Baltimore Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister, 32, signed a one-year, $845,000 contract. Once the paperwork is completed with the league office, the Saints will have 11 defensive backs on the roster.

McKenzie’s signing comes one day after the 10-0 Saints took two more hits at the cornerback position. Veterans Randall Gay (hamstring) and Torrence sustained injuries against the Buccaneers.

Gay’s status for Monday night’s nationally televised game against the AFC East-leading New England Patriots is expected to be updated through the week by Coach Sean Payton.

Payton is hoping to get back injured cornerback Jabari Greer, who has missed the past two games with an injured groin. No such luck for injured cornerback Tracy Porter, who is expected to miss perhaps another month with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Only rookie cornerback Malcolm Jenkins has avoided the recent spate of injuries at the cornerback position. Jenkins made his first NFL start Sunday and collected recorded his first career interception, pilfering an errant pass thrown by Buccaneers’ rookie quarterback Josh Freeman.

A season for the ages in New Orleans is quickly becoming a season for the aged, especially in the Saints secondary, where no fewer than four players are at least 32 years of age.

Besides the M&M boys, McAllister and McKenzie, veteran safeties Darren Sharper (34) and Pierson Prioleau (32) also are card-carrying members of the “30-something club.’’

And with that age comes years of valuable experience that Saints officials want to lean on as they continue their pursuit of perfection and ultimately a berth in Super Bowl XLIV.

Sharper currently is among the NFL leaders in interceptions with seven, including a league-high three returned for touchdowns. He returned to the lineup against Tampa Bay after being sidelined in Week 10 against the St. Louis Rams with a sprained left MCL.

A CLOSER LOOK AT MIKE MCKENZIE

HT: 6-0

WT: 194

AGE: 33

EXPERIENCE: 10 seasons (Green Bay 1999-2004), New Orleans (2004-2008, signed Monday). Originally selected by Green Bay in the third round of the 1999 draft. Traded to New Orleans on Oct. 4, 2004, for quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan and what became a second-round pick in 2005.

CAREER INTERCEPTIONS: 27.

PERSONAL: Currently resides in Metairie.

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STATUS OF WALKING WOUNDED IN SAINTS SECONDARY

CB Tracy Porter (knee): Is expected to miss at least four more games.

CB Jabari Greer (groin): Has missed past 2 games, could be back for New England game.

CB Randall Gay (hamstring): Exited the Tampa Bay in the second quarter, did not return.

CB Leigh Torrence (shoulder): Has been placed on season-ending injured reserve.

 

THE HEALTHY LIST

CB Malcolm Jenkins

S/CB Usama Young

S Roman Harper

S Chris Reis

S Darren Sharper

S Pierson Prioleau

CB Chris McAlister

CB Mike McKenzie