New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton
Media Availability
Friday, September 23, 2011
Opening Statement:
"Here's our final injury report: K Garrett Hartley (right hip) did not practice, he's out for this game; LB Jon Vilma (left knee) did not practice, he's doubtful; WR Marques Colston (right shoulder) did not practice, he's out for this game; CB Tracy Porter (left calf) was limited, he's questionable for this game. The next four players are all probable: S Jonathon Amaya was limited today, LB Jonathan Casillas was full today, S Roman Harper was full today, and DT Tom Johnson was full today."
If Jonathan Vilma can't go, how comfortable are you with having other linebackers fill in?
"Like anything else, I think we feel real good about our depth. Jo-Lonn (Dunbar) has played there and has gotten a lot of snaps at Mike (LB), so it's no different than any other injury. It's the next guy up to step in. He's prepared well and he's had a good week of practice so he'll be ready."
Was there a setback with Vilma?
"It wasn't a setback. It was just a matter of just trying to track his progress and every morning when we come in the first thing we do is go see Scottie (Patton) and see the player and see how these guys are doing. The concern is, especially at that position with what he's doing, we want to see him at one hundred percent or at least in a percentage where he's comfortable enough to function. I think he knows that too. There wasn't any specific setback, it just hasn't come back as quickly as we had hoped and we'll see how it is tomorrow."
Jo-Lonn Dunbar got a start against the Bears, is there something you've been seeing with him that's earned him that spot?
"He's someone who's smart, who's been in our system, and has had good production whenever he's played."
