Vilma to active roster
 

The New Orleans Saints activated linebacker Jonathan Vilma from the short-term injured reserve list Saturday, making him eligible to play for the first time this season Sunday against the New York Jets.

Vilma was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return in Week 1 after he had an arthroscopic clean-up surgery on his knee during the preseason.

[+] EnlargeJonathan Vilma
Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports
Jonathan Vilma got off to a good start this past summer before his knee began swelling during training camp.
Vilma said that gave him more than enough time to fully recover. He has been back practicing the past two weeks.

"Fortunately I was able to take that long, almost like an extended rehab period. It was definitely for the better," Vilma said Friday. "Back [in Week 1] of course, I wanted to try to rush and get back. But it was definitely for the better that I now I'm able to come back and able to just go out there and run, run around and get back into football shape, get my angles down and my timing."

Chances are, the Saints will ease Vilma back in a rotational role -- both because he's been out so long and because veteran David Hawthorne has played so well as his replacement in the starting lineup.

The Saints likely don't know what to expect from Vilma, a 10-year veteran who has been dealing with knee problems on and off for the past three years.


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New Orleans Saints promote Jonathan Vilma to active roster


Regardless of how he may or may not fit into the current lineup, it will be good to see the big man back on the field!

(I maintain that if we continue to play 4-3 base defense, Lofton/Hawthorne/Vilma is a scary good trio of linebackers.)

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

He covers much better than Lofton.

Probably go with Hawthorne/Vilma on possible passing downs. Then Vilma at MLB in our 4-3 sets.

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

Yea definitely. People knocked him in the 3-4, but we run plenty of 4-3 and he will definitely strengthen that set. Ryan is gonna have some fun with him this week I think.

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

Isn't this his third knee? Love Vilma, but let's wait for the first cut and the first big hit.

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

We never really play in a 4-3. Most of the time we use a 4 man front with 2 LB's. Lofton, Hawthorne and Vilma will never be on the field together and nor should they be with our DB's playing so well.

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

Hawthorne/Lofton/Vilma but what about the guy we got from San Fran ? Vilma should be more helpful come playoffs or week 11 13

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

Harrelson is an outside backer.

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

+1.

And don't forget we have The Big Lebowski (Ryan) calling plays for us on defense. If Vilma sees the field tomorrow or in subsequent weeks, I'm sure he will utilize him to his strengths. I'm elated Jonathan is back and hopefully healthy and ready to make a contribution on defense.

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

It's more 4-2-5, but Vaccaro plays in the box so often he may as well be considered a linebacker in that formation.

If you are trying to get your best players on the field, and considering the amount of DB injuries we're dealing with right now, a straight 4-3 may not be a bad idea on occasion. We know Rob Ryan will find a way to get everybody who deserves playing time on the field one way or another.

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

Actually we run a lot more 3-3-5 then 4-2-5...

Galette, Hawthorne, Lofton are our LBs on those downs. Harper was the in the box safety when he was active. Vaccaro plays in the box now with Bush over the top...

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

Wonder what's going on with Walker he's been out for a while ..

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

:-)

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

If he comes back & plays well he will have made a lair out of me. I said. Any times I didn't see him playing for us this season.

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

Vilma doesn't have much of a role on this new defense. Give him a few snaps to relieve Lofton/Hawthorne... But let's cut the crap; he's done.

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

. If he can stay healthy he will help.

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

Vilma and Humber in the nickel will be a good combo.

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

Tackles and sacks are hard to get... from the bench.

Jus' sayin'

Alaska

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

I am expecting a big game from Vilma if he plays today. Think he will prove a lot of people wrong.

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

Its safer to say we play a 11 man Defense.

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

regardless of what we play: 4-3, 3-4, 2-1-2, Vilma is obviously ready to go and will contribute.
We did not have to make a roster move with him this week, but did anyway. I take that as a good sign

Re: Vilma to active roster
 

Vilma has done what for this team in the last 2.5 years?

Sit on IR... and when he managed to stay healthy for a game or two he missed tackles and looked slow.

Vilma WAS great for this team, but the guy has been through to much. To say he should start at any LB position would be foolish. To not think 3 knee surgeries and 2.5 years of not playing at all/much will have no effect is foolish.

Vilma can contribute by coaching the new players we have, and possibly coming in on passing situations only because of his knowledge not athleticism. Its laughable that some posts suggest an injury riddled player over the last 3 years should take over for Lofton who is a pro-bowl candidate and leader of the 4th ranked D...