The Saints and Houston Texans conducted their second joint practice Wednesday afternoon at the Saints indoor facility. While working in limited space, the squads practiced for a little over an hour conducting a walk-through, team, seven-on-seven and goal line drills.

NEXT UP:The Saints and Texans will hold two joint practices again on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. and 4:20 p.m. The morning session will be outside and open to the public, weather permitting. The afternoon practice will be at the indoor facility and closed to the public.

EVANS AND WILKERSON SIT:FB Heath Evansand DL Jimmy Wilkerson sat out the afternoon practice. The two normally only participate in one practice during two-a-days as they are both coming off knee injuries.

PAYTON PLEASED WITH JOINT PRACTICES:Payton said joint practices heighten teams' awareness. With the discussion around the league about the NFL regular season pushing to 18 games, Payton said teams would be forced to conduct more joint practices during training camp with an extended season.

LSU TIGERS REUNITE:Saints LB Harry Coleman,DB Randall Gay,WR Devery Henderson,DL Al Woods and Texans WR Trindon Hollidayand OL Brett Helmsrepresented a strong contingent of former LSU players at the joint practices.

When Holliday caught punts during special teams drills, fans yelled "Geaux Tigers!" Holliday, a Zachary, La. native, said he is happy to be back home but the fast life of an NFL rookie has prevented him from enjoying being back in the Pelican State.

"I like being back but it's all about football now," said Holliday. "Things go so much faster in the league."

Woods said he was happy to see his former purple and gold teammates and looks forward to facing them in the Superdome on Saturday where they won LSU's 2007 BCS National Championship. "I got to talk with them before practice and watched them when I was in a break or they were near me," said Woods. "Holliday is still fast as heck and Helms is only getting stronger."