saint5221

http://www.nola.com/saints/t-p/index...9751130250.xml


Tuesday December 16, 2003
By Brian Allee-Walsh
Staff writer


Fullback Terrelle Smith, who missed the Saints' 45-7 victory against the New York Giants with an infected jaw, is not expected to return to practice until later this week.

Smith was a late scratch Sunday night, leaving Saints coach Jim Haslett with two running backs on the active roster -- Deuce McAllister and Lamar Smith.

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said the infection began with an in-grown chin hair.

"The infection spread through his jaw, and he went to the hospital early Sunday morning," Haslett said. "Our team dentist was going to numb his jaw so he could play, but they found out that the infection could spread if he took a hit. It could get in his blood system, which would not be a good thing."

By the time Haslett learned of Smith's condition, he already had turned in his active roster with Smith's name on it. But Smith watched the game in street clothes.

"It was a unique situation for me," Haslett said. "We went into the game with no fullback and two running backs, and one of those (Smith) had been here for 10 days.

"Everything we did in the game we didn't practice last week. We lined up in two tight ends, and wasted three timeouts because we were calling plays we haven't run for one month."

Haslett credited offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy and his staff for being flexible enough to change the game plan on such short notice.

"We were making up plays on the sideline," Haslett said. "We scored 45 points. Maybe we ought to do it next week."




INJURY REPORT: Reserve offensive lineman Spencer Folau will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a damaged patellar tendon in his left knee, Haslett said. Folau will miss the rest of the season.

Left guard Kendyl Jacox will return to the starting lineup against Jacksonville on Sunday after missing the past five games with a knee injury. Rookie Montrae Holland will shift from left guard to right guard against the Jaguars.

Starting right guard LeCharles Bentley is scheduled to undergo reconstructive knee surgery Dec. 29.

Wide receiver Donté Stallworth, who had missed four consecutive games before the Giants game, emerged from the game with his left ankle in relatively good shape.