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Because Monday was what he calls a “bonus day,” New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton wasn’t required to turn in an official practice participation report to the league office.

Consequently, Payton had no update on the status of inside linebacker Jonathan Vilma or outside linebackers Junior Galette and Martez Wilson concerning their availability for Sunday’s season opener with the Atlanta Falcons in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

While Galette and Wilson could play after suffering injuries early in training camp and missing all four preseason games, Vilma is in a different situation after arthroscopic knee surgery Aug. 15.

When asked about a report over the weekend that said Vilma’s rehab was going well and the 10-year veteran could be on the field for the opener, Payton said he would have more later in the week.

“I think its speculation right now,” Payton said. “We’ll see. I’ll have more when we get to commenting on injured players later in the week.”

The first injury report of the season will be released Wednesday when the players return to practice after a day off Tuesday.

Ready to return

Galette, who suffered a lower leg injury in early August, and Wilson, who dislocated his left elbow on the fourth day of training camp, both said they’re ready to go this week if Payton gives them the OK.

“I think I’m in great shape,” Galette said after practice. “I even ran extra after our conditioning (run) (Monday), so I feel good. It’s Sean’s call to see if I’m going to play or not, but I feel good.”

Galette said he’s not concerned that he hasn’t been able to play in preseason even though he switched positions from defensive end to outside linebacker.

“It’s not my rookie year or second year, I’m a vet now and understand the game quite well,” he said. “We play Atlanta twice a year, so that’s an advantage for me not playing in a preseason game.”

“I’m good. ... I’m ready to play fast and play hard and ready to turn it up,” said Wilson, who noted he could have played in the final preseason game at Miami. “Coach wanted to play it smart. He wanted me to get healthy, and that’s what we did.”

Payton keeping quiet | Sports | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

thebdj

I'm already feeling the buzz coming out of the camp this week. I like it. It's a quiet confidence. Just how it should be. No silly arrogant statements and not in any way trying to get a media spotlight we definitely DO NOT need.

Martez and Junior will be good to go, I'm confident of that. Vilma has no chance. I'm not a doctor but arthroscopic knee surgery to ILB inside 3 weeks? Ummm, no. I would be very surprised if we see him back before the bye week, which of course opens up other questions.

Once again though, loving the quiet confidence. This a calm before a storm. Hurricane Sean is in town and this ain't no ***** CAT1 rubbish!

TheOak

This is Atlanta... If they are starters and the gizzard still ticks they are playing

rezburna

Watch the blitz. Rob Ryan is sending the house.

DISPLACEDFAN

I kinda hope we don't have to blitz as often as they have in the past leaves the back end exposed too much. I understand we will blitz but I just think in the past we have blitzed alittle too often

rezburna

The problem has been whether we blitz or not we still don't get to the QB. Lol.

xan

Our LBs have so much trouble in coverage that a blitz=score. Let's just hope that the 3-4 scheme clogs their short game, which is all Meg Ryan has.

DISPLACEDFAN

that's what I was getting at we blitzed all the time we still didn't get there so what was the point in blitzing

Beastmode

On the other side it's completely the opposite. Atlanta still believes their OL is fine. Can't wait to see them finally admit they have a major problem along with the media.

|Mitch|

Has me curious, whether are not they play as bad as they did in the preseason?

In theory; it seems like they don't have the personnel to fix it; but who knows...