BillyCarpenter1

New Orleans Saints: The search for a vibable backup to starting tailback Deuce McAllister likley will continue, particuarly when teams begin paring their rosters, but for now, the New Orleans Saints have a new contender for the job.

ESPN.com has learned that the Saints signed veteran Ki-Jana Carter on Monday afternoon. Carter, who worked out earlier in the day for club officials, agreed to a one-year contract worth for the league minimum of $530,000.

The first overall choice in the 1995 draft, Carter has suffered through a career marred by injuries, and three times in seven years has appeared in three games or fewer as a result of major physical setbacks. The former Penn State star, who began his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, has not played since 2001 when he was with the Washington Redskins and rushed for 308 yards as a backup. Projected as a star, Carter has instead been star-crossed, and the chance with the Saints might be the last one of his career.

Carter, 29, has 290 career carries for 1,055 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also has caught 65 passes for 458 yards. New Orleans currently lists Curtis Keaton as its No. 2 tailback, but wanted to upgrade at the position, and team personnel staffers have been carefully monitoring other clubs' roster to see who might become available.



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http://espn.go.com/nfl/news/2003/0818/1598525.html