JOESAM2002

Nagging injury frustrates Grant
LB says he'd hoped to get back on field, claim starting position
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
By Brian Allee-Walsh
Staff writer
Saints middle linebacker Cie Grant said he is growing more frustrated by the day as he remains sidelined with an injured left knee.

He is suffering from what commonly is referred to as "jumper's knee," or patella tendinitis, which is inflammation of the patella tendon.

He sported a knee brace Monday as he watched his teammates practice twice indoors.

"It's nothing that's going to need surgery," Grant said. "I got to find out exactly what it is. It's real frustrating. I thought I was doing real good, and for something like this to happen, it's disappointing.

"But I got to keep my head in it. Anything can happen throughout this year. The only way I can put it is, it's frustrating."

Grant opened training camp with the No. 1 defensive unit, but he has since yielded the starting job to rookie middle linebacker Courtney Watson.

"I'm going to try to do whatever I can to calm (the inflammation) down and get back out there," Grant said. "I'm going to be frustrated until I can get back out there. It gets harder every day. I'm thinking, 'I'm going to be back today, I'm going to be back today,' and then I'm not."

Saints coach Jim Haslett said he could not say with any certainty when, or if, Grant would get back on the field.

"We're trying anything to get him back out there," Haslett said.


Nesbit will start at right guard instead of Holland according to Haslett, against Green Bay this week.