Vilma might play Monday
 

Judging by his ability to practice at least on a limited basis this week, New Orleans Saints Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma might have a shot at playing in Monday night’s showdown with the New York Giants in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

Vilma, who was inactive for the past two games because of a lingering knee injury, worked limited again Friday after returning to practice Tuesday.

Vilma reportedly had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and missed two games and also had a bye week last weekend in which to recover.

He was injured in a Week 2 game against the Chicago Bears and missed just one game before playing in five straight. But he went to the sideline when the knee did not respond to treatment.

Saints coach Sean Payton said Tuesday that Vilma was doing well and his treatment was going well, but would only say that he was day-to-day, and that they would measure how he was moving later in the work week.

Vilma might play Monday | Saints | The Advocate

I hope so if he is 100% and contribute 100%. No, makes no snese to have him reinjure himslef.
He ahs time on side in thqt he was out for two games. HTen Saints had bye week, and really this Sunday, you can sort of call it a bye week too. This is four Sundays straight for Vilma to rehab that knee . It sort worked out that way that he was out at this time. This Mondays' game, perhaps and esp. if the Saints are winning, give Vilma some game time to readjust.

I feel the same way. I'm not the least bit interested to see him come back if he's not 100%. I'm sure he's anxious to play but you've got to look at the bigger picture... having him completely healthy coming into the playoff gives our defense an added boost.

It will be good to have his leadership back on the field.

Dunbar has done well in his absence.

He probably had a meniscus tear. When I had one I was told by a top sports injury expert here that I could just live with the pain and that using it couldn't make matters worse. He also said when I did decide to get it trimmed (fixed) that I could use it right away with no danger. I walked out of the procedure. But, it hurt like hell the next day and for about two weeks.

He also told me about a Louisiana Tech player that he did the procedure to on a Wednesday that played that Saturday.

We need his leadership BUT I do not see him coming back

Funny, my doctor told me the same thing.
Although my tear was from cough, cough tennis

3:30 EST and no inactive report yet. Vilma did not practice Saturday.
Might be a precaution or smoke screen, but...

Leverage is BIG with Vilma. Without it, he may as well put on the sweats and help them coach.
He has played hobbled and the results have shown it.
Dunbar has had Vilma type numbers in every game he's covered the middle in Vilma's absence.
If Vilma isn't 100%, he needs to rest another week, and an additional week if needed.
There may be nine more weeks left in this season. We can wait for him to get healthy.

Saints declared RB Chris Ivory, LB Jonathan Vilma, DE Turk McBride, CB Johnnny Patrick, OT Will Robinson, TE Michael Higgins, and WR Adrian Arrington inactive for Monday Night Football in Week 12.

The Saints' tailback rotation is back intact with Darren Sproles, Mark Ingram, and Pierre Thomas rounding out the unit. Jo-Lonn Dunbar figures to start again for Vilma (knee) at middle linebacker. The Saints are otherwise healthy.

Source: New Orleans Times-Picayune

Giants declared WR Mario Manningham, S Derrick Martin, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, LT Will Beatty, DT Jimmy Kennedy, OT James Brewer, and LB Michael Boley inactive for Monday Night Football against the Saints.

Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks will be New York's starting outside receivers, with Ramses Barden probably manning the slot. Manningham, Beatty, Martin, and Bradshaw are all out injured. David Diehl will kick from guard to tackle and start in place of Beatty. Brandon Jacobs will be the Giants' feature back.

Source: Newark Star-Ledger

bad deal with Vilma-- good news about Robinson