by Sports Xchange

It wasn't known Thursday if McAlister will be able to pick up enough of the defense to help out Sunday, which could leave the Saints with just three cornerbacks healthy and available for the game with the Bucs.

Right cornerback Tracy Porter is definitely out of this week's game and probably several more after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee last Sunday. Left cornerback Jabari Greer could miss his second straight game with a left groin injury.

Greer did not practice again Thursday and will be questionable at best when the final injury report is turned in Friday. If he can't go and McAlister, who hasn't played in a game since last October, isn't ready only Randall Gay, Malcolm Jenkins and Leigh Torrence would be available.

They could be helped, however, if free safety Darren Sharper can play against the Bucs after missing last week's game at St. Louis with a sprained right knee. That could free up Usama Young to swing over to cornerback and help if needed.

PLAYER NOTES

--RCB Tracy Porter will likely be sidelined for several weeks as he rehabs a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee, which he sustained in Sunday's game with the St. Louis Rams.

--LCB Jabari Greer, who missed last week's game with a left groin injury, did not practice Thursday and his status for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay was not known.

--RB Reggie Bush, who experienced swelling and soreness in his left knee after last Sunday's game, didn't practice Thursday and coach Sean Payton said his progress would be monitored Friday.

--WR Lance Moore was held out of practice again Thursday because of his sprained left ankle and will likely miss his third straight game Sunday.

--C Jonathan Goodwin, who did not practice Wednesday with ankle soreness, worked on a limited basis Thursday and should play against the Bucs.

--DT Sedrick Ellis, who has missed the last three games with a sprained right knee, worked limited again Thursday but it's still not known if he'll be ready to go Sunday.

--FS Darren Sharper was limited in Thursday's practice for the second straight day as he tries to come back from a sprained left knee that kept him out of last Sunday's game.

--TE David Thomas worked fully Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's practice to rest a sore knee.

GAME PLAN: Only one team has given up more rushing yards this season than the 167.3 yards a game allowed by the Bucs. That's the Buffalo Bills, who were gashed for 222 yards by the Saints in a Week 3 loss. The Saints rank fifth in rushing at 151.1 yards a game on the strength of a three-pronged attack featuring Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Reggie Bush, so that would seem to be the way to go -- at least initially with Drew Brees throwing one more interception than touchdown in the last four outings. Defensively, the Saints have had trouble stopping the run lately, but the Bucs have had trouble running it so that could play into the Saints' hands.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Saints SS Roman Harper vs. Browns TE Kellen Winslow. Harper is enjoying his best season as a pro with a team-leading 85 tackles, one sack, seven quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Harper has also broken up four passes, and his coverage skills will be tested against Winslow, who leads the Bucs with 42 catches for 454 yards and five TDs.

Saints WR Devery Henderson vs. Bucs LCB Aqib Talib. Henderson isn't flashy, but he is having a solid season with 26 catches for 451 yards and a 17.3 average. He's also become more consistent with fewer drops than he has had in the past, so making a few plays against a Bucs defense that allows just 211.9 passing yards a game will be a key for the Saints.

Saints front seven vs. Bucs QB Josh Freeman. The Saints, who have 19 sacks, will definitely try to bring some heat against a rookie making just his third pro start. They caused lots of problems for first-round picks Matthew Stafford and Mark Sanchez earlier this season and will likely try to do the same against Freeman with their pass rush causing him to make a lot of decisions while on the move.

INJURY IMPACT: LCB Jabari Greer did not work again Thursday because of a left groin injury and his status for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay was unknown.

--LCB Randall Gay will likely take Jabari Greer's spot in the lineup for the second straight week if he can't go against the Bucs.

--RCB Tracy Porter will not play against the Bucs because of a sprained left medial collateral ligament.

--RCB Malcolm Jenkins, the Saints' first-round draft pick this spring, will likely start in Tracy Porter's place.