blackangold

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma tweeted Thursday that, according to coach Sean Payton, he will return to the practice field Monday after the Saints’ Week 7 bye:

As I mentioned in Thursday's morning report, Vilma is now officially eligible to begin practicing after being placed on injured reserve in Week 1 with a designation to return. He will be eligible to return to the active roster in Week 9.

It remains to be seen how quickly he'll return to the field and how much he'll be involved. The Saints themselves still need to get a good feel for how fully he can recover from a minor clean-up surgery on his knee during the preseason. Vilma, 31, has been hampered by the knee injury since the start of the 2011 season.

Jonathan Vilma says hell practice Monday - ESPN

I am not sure what role Vilma will play. I do not think we need Vilma as Hawthorne has played very well this season.

Thoughts?


Butler update:

Butler less likely: Outside linebacker Victor Butler also is eligible to resume practicing after spending the summer on the physically unable to perform list. That seems highly unlikely, though, since Butler tore an anterior cruciate knee ligament in June.

It’s a long shot that Butler will return at all this season. But the Saints do have time to wait. A change to the PUP list rules this year allows players to wait up until the start of Week 12 to return to practice. Then they’d have a three-week window to either be activated or placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season.

Saints morning report: Vilma returning? - NFC South Blog - ESPN

dueceloose

What about Butler? Yeah Vilma can wait till he's 100% till he comes back. Haryls, Hawthorne have been playing well.

|Mitch|

I hope Vilma is able to play ASAP, will provide decent depth. If he is healthy...

neugey

Good news/bad news. We'll have to cut someone if Vilma goes active, right?

|Mitch|

We could cut someone like Keyunta Dawson and not many fans would care...

Jack Vegas

I would think Vilma is the nickel/dime guy and in conventional 4-3 sets we have a trio of Lofton/Hawthorne/Vilma. That's pretty solid.

Lord_Saint83

Like last year when he came off the pup list he was very rusty for the rest of the season. I say if they are going to keep him after the season dont play him till injuries stack up. Hawthorne and Humber have played very well. Don't fix what isn't broke.

UK_WhoDat

Is that the same as not many fans would know?

AlaskaSaints

Bring him back as a last resort.

The apple cart is righted...

Alaska

B_Dub_Saint

If he can produce hell yea, if not, no way. I like what we have now.