Saints still fighting off injuries

By By Richard Dark / EMG sports writer
Nov. 28, 2003
METAIRIE, La. On Thanksgiving eve, the Saints returned to work after a day of charitable endeavors. And plenty of Jim Haslett's players were on the sidelines, not gearing up for their big meal on Thursday, and not gearing up for the Washington Redskins (4-7), either.
Injuries were abundant coming off last week's 33-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Most notable among them is the left knee of quarterback Aaron Brooks. Brooks MRI results were released Tuesday. The good news is the sprained MCL in his left knee shouldn't keep him out of this weekend's game in the nation's capital.
But that's pretty much is where the holiday cheer ends as far as the injury front is concerned.
Backup running back Ki-Jana Carter is out for the rest of the year after suffering a severe turf toe injury. Carter will undergo surgery later in the week. In his place, the Saints signed former New Orleans back Lamar Smith. Smith was in the Crescent City during the Mike Ditka era. He saw action in the Green Bay Packers' training camp before being waived. Carter went on injured reserve.
Other big question marks to return to the field this week include: CB Dale Carter (quad), who is listed as questionable. DE Willie Whitehead is also questionable with a knee injury. Wideouts Michael Lewis and Donte Stallworth are listed as doubtful with ankle injuries. OG Kendyl Jacox will not play for the second straight week following his knee surgery.
Washington CB and former Mississippi State standout Fred Smoot leads a list of seven Washington players listed as probable with injuries.
Two are questionable and four are doubtful including starting qb Patrick Ramsey, who went down in Monday Night's loss to Tampa.
In that vein, Redskins coach Steve Spurrier is all too familiar with the challenges and struggles of Haslett.
"Well, we're one game worse than the Saints, so we're not doing too good. We're struggling right now," Spurrier said during his Wednesday teleconference. "If you win your close games, you can have a good record. If you don't, you'll end up like we (Saints and Redskins) are and the Saints are a little better than we are, but that's you got to win your close games. That's what I've learned." After absorbing his last defeat, the "Ole Ball Coach" apologized to the fan base and admitted making the playoffs was "very, very unrealistic."
Other Moves
The Saints cut C Terry Wagner and called up WR Derrick Lewis from the practice squad. He hadn't been on the active roster since the second week of the season.
Dazzling Deuce:
Former Ole Miss star and arguably the MVP of the team this season is quietly stacking up some remarkable numbers. With 1,228 yards rushing through 11 games, McAllister needs to average 154.2 yards through his final five games to reach the vaunted 2,000-yard mark. He is the second-leading rusher in the NFC behind Packer Ahman Green. He needs 446 yards to break the franchise single-season record held by George Rogers.
"He's one of the best. He's having a tremendous year. I don't think we've had a back gain a 100 this year. He can do it all," Spurrier said.
McAllister was among several Saints that donated Thanksgiving dinners to needy families in the Greater New Orleans area on Tuesday.