Vilma reports little trouble with knee

NEW ORLEANS -- Deuce McAllister wasn't the only New Orleans Saints player Saturday night making a return to the field for the first time since undergoing season-ending knee surgery last year.

Middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma, a key acquisition to the Saints' defense, played the entire first half in the team's 31-27 loss to the Houston Texans. It's the first time he's played since being placed on injured reserve with the New York Jets on Oct. 27 last year.

Vilma took all the snaps in the middle with the first-team defense and tallied two total tackles. He said there were no issues even though it wasn't a whole game.

"It felt good being out there," Vilma said. "It was good to get out there and play with my teammates. That was very exciting. I guess I just have to go from here."

(sunherald.com)