Shockey's still hurting, but Payton isn't ready to panic

METAIRIE — New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey has a new injury and hasn't practiced this week for the NFC Championship game Sunday against Minnesota. Saints coach Sean Payton, however, didn't appear worried on Thursday.

"He's getting better," Payton said of his oft-injured star. "We'll list his status (today). On a guy like him overall, pretty good, though, right now with where he's at. He's making good progress. He knows the offense well. He's been going through the walk throughs."

The Saints host Minnesota at 5:40 p.m. on Sunday with a spot in the Super Bowl at stake.

Shockey missed the Saints' last three regular season games with a toe injury and missed four games in 2008 with a hernia and ankle injury. His toe is not the issue now. Payton said he has a knee bruise.

Shockey suffered the injury on the Saints' first drive in the 45-14 divisional win over Arizona on Saturday when he caught a 13-yard pass to set up the team's first touchdown.

"It was one of those plays," Shockey said Thursday. "It was a little pass on the sidelines I caught. I got hit, and I twisted wrong and had a little setback."

The injury slowed Shockey. On the Saints' next possession, he limped his way into the end zone and made a 17-yard touchdown catch for a 14-7 lead.

Payton, who was an assistant with the New York Giants when Shockey was a rookie with the team in 2002, was asked if Shockey can be his own worst enemy as far as injuries because of how emotional, hyper and reckless he tends to be on the field.

"In regards to his emotion, it's important for a player to be himself," Payton said. "And that is something that I think he's done ever since we had him as a rookie in New York. So we're very comfortable with that. There is a confidence level he brings to the huddle."

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