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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.)

Danno

He covers much better than Lofton.

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

The Dude

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.

xan

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

ChrisXVI

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.

dueceloose

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

exile

Harrelson is an outside backer.

K Major

+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.

Jack Vegas

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.

|Mitch|

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...