New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - NOLA.com Hau'oli Kikaha 'feeling good' after bye-week rehab

No amount of coaching staff changes for the Saints can fix one area that has ailed them in recent weeks. That is the health of their starting linebackers.

Hau'oli Kikaha underwent multiple therapy sessions on the ankle that caused him to miss most of the last two games during the week leading into the bye, the second-round drafted rookie said Tuesday at the team's annual turkey drive at the Dryades YMCA.

His hope is to return to play Sunday against the Houston Texans, but he declined to clarify his health status. "I think that's a question for Sean," Kikaha said in reference to coach Sean Payton.

"I definitely put in a lot of work during the bye week," Kikaha said. "I stayed here and did a couple therapy sessions a day. I'm feeling good."

The ankle limited Kikaha to nine snaps in a pair of losses that dropped the Saints to 4-6 and sealed the Saints' decision to fire defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.

Kikaha did not play in the overtime loss Nov. 8 against the Tennessee Titans, and he played nine snaps early the next week in a 47-14 loss at Washington that stood as the most lopsided defeat in the Payton era.

The Saints played those games also without linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who also did not play Nov. 1 against the New York Giants.

The depleted linebacker corp contributed to the 130 points and 1,409 yards allowed in the last three games. The Saints rank last in total yards and points allowed.

The team shifted Dennis Allen into Ryan's coordinator role one day after the latest loss. Kikaha said he and teammates heard from Ryan and Allen after the firing Nov. 16.

"Rob talked to us later on," Kikaha said. "Dennis had a chance to reach out to us."

New Orleans Saints LB Hau'oli Kikaha 'feeling good' after bye-week rehab | NOLA.com