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By SHELDON MICKLES
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Nov 19, 2009

METAIRIE — New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis was back on the practice field Wednesday for the first time since spraining his right knee in the first half of an Oct. 25 game with the Miami Dolphins.

Ellis, a second-year pro, didn’t have full participation in the two-hour practice that began the team’s preps for Sunday’s matchup with the Tampa Bay Bucs in Raymond James Stadium. But the fact that he was able to work on a limited basis was encouraging news to coach Sean Payton.

“Any time you’re able to get a starter back, a guy that has been a good player for you at the three-technique and at the nose, it certainly helps,” said Payton. “At the same time, we’re still working the other guys through in the rotation. But today, he felt better and that was encouraging.”

Ellis is not sure if he’ll play.

“It felt well and it looks really positive,” said Ellis, “but I don’t know if I’m going to play this week or not. We’re just not sure. But everything has been positive and everything’s moving forward. There were no relapses.”

Injury report

While Ellis was back on a limited basis, six players did not work Wednesday.

They were CB Tracy Porter (knee), CB Jabari Greer (groin), C Jonathan Goodwin (ankle), WR Lance Moore (ankle), RB Reggie Bush (knee) and TE David Thomas (knee).

FS Darren Sharper, who did not play against the St. Louis Rams on Sunday, had limited work along with Ellis. Payton said Bush and Thomas were held out of practice after they were “nicked up” in the game with the Rams.

Roster move

With Porter and Greer hobbled, the Saints had a new cornerback on the practice field after signing three-time Pro Bowl pick Chris McAlister earlier in the day.

McAlister, a 6-foot-1, 210-pounder, has not played this season after being released by the Baltimore Ravens. The 11-year veteran was not signed this offseason after playing just eight games in 2007 and six games in ’08 while battling a lingering posterior cruciate ligament injury to his right knee.

To make room on the 53-man roster for McAlister, the Saints cut third-string quarterback Chase Daniel. He’s expected to be signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Tryout day

McAlister was signed after club officials worked out he and former Amite High School and San Diego Chargers cornerback Cletis Gordon on Tuesday morning.

Also in for tryouts were wide receivers Taurus Johnson, Aaron Kelly and Nick Moore, the younger brother of Saints wide receiver Lance Moore, and quarterback Mike Reilly.

Brees leads the way

Saints quarterback Drew Brees leads all players in early Pro Bowl balloting with 539,228 votes cast online, according to the league office.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (532,455) is second and Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (529,319) is third. Saints free safety Darren Sharper leads NFC vote-getters at his position so far with 184,993 votes.

2theadvocate.com | Saints | Ellis returns to practice — Baton Rouge, LA

saintsfan1976

Sweet Jesus Lord in Heaven, THANK YOU!!!

Rugby Saint II

Maybe now we will be able to stop the run better and give our secondary some much needed pressure on the QB. This should help get Sharper a few more picks.

QBREES9

Glad to see big Sed is back !!!