Saints defenders Darren Sharper, Clint Ingram out for preseason finale at Titans
 

NEW ORLEANS – Injured free safety Darren Sharper and linebacker Clint Ingram are not expected to play in the New Orleans Saints' exhibition finale Thursday night at Tennessee, leaving their roster status in doubt going into the final week of the preseason, according to league sources.

Each has been on Active-PUP and been unable to practice since the start of training camp. Whether they come off that list when the team returns to the practice field Monday is uncertain.

Both players were hoping to play in at least one exhibition game before the Saints open the regular season against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 9 at the Superdome.

That appears unlikely now.

Sharper and Ingram continue to work themselves back into playing shape after undergoing offseason micro-fracture knee surgery.

The Saints roster currently stands at 76 and will grow to 77 when free agent defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy rejoins the team Monday after agreeing to terms on a one-year contract Sunday.

NFL teams must pare their rosters to 75 by Tuesday and to 53 by Saturday.

See Brian Allee-Walsh's bubble update
Saints officials now are faced with three options when it comes to Sharper and Ingram. The decision is viewed as one of the most important facing Coach Sean Payton as he prepares his team to begin defense of their Super Bowl XLIV championship:

- One or both players can reach injury settlements with the team and be waived/injured by Saturday.

- One or both players can be placed on the league’s Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list by Saturday, meaning each would have to miss a minimum of six weeks before coming back on to the active 53-man roster.

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I hope this (being on the PUP) does not happen (especially in Ingram's case). I was so looking forward to seeing what this guy could do at OLB.

Should we just put them out of their misery...lol

Ingram continues to work back into playing shape after undergoing offseason micro-fracture knee surgery.

Do you think he can make the team

another micro-fracture guy .... dunno... how long did it take Reggie to get healthy?

Put them on the PUP for 6 weeks. Putting them in when they are not ready and taking up a roster spot is not good business.

I don't know much about Ingram other than the informative info I'm reading here and as much as I want to pull for Jenkins to give Sharper a run for his money the play of Jenkins hasn't been too encouraging;good but not great.I can't wait until Jenkins kicks it up a notch and hopefully he can learn to put himself in better positions to make plays on the ball as Sharper does sooner than later.I guess I'm just spoiled after how good Sharpers play was last year.I'm pulling hard for all of all young talent across the board.

I think we need Sharper no matter what. I do not know enough about Ingram to say...

I agree on Sharper staying no matter what for the year but I can't wait for Jenkins to start growing as a player..our future Ball Hawk

Jenkins's development as a safety, also depends on the health, and well being of our corners. Mr. Robinson didn't look to good in the preseason games I saw. He was getting burned ALOT. I will blame it on rookie inexperience right now, but I certainly hope he gets better fast. I understand we have Greer, and Porter, but their saying healthy is also a concern. Jenkins is the best "back up" corner, we have right now.