New Orleans Saints Strategy and Personnel

The Saints, who were pounded by Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner for 151 yards on Nov. 2, will be shorthanded at linebacker for Sunday's rematch in the Georgia Dome.

Until signing veteran Anthony Waters on Wednesday, the Saints were down to four healthy linebackers -- Jonathan Vilma, Scott Shanle, Troy Evans and rookie Jonathan Casillas, who made the team as an undrafted free agent.

Strong-side linebacker Scott Fujita likely won't play Sunday after he had surgery Dec. 4 for a staph infection in his left knee. It's not known when he will return after missing last week's game with the Washington Redskins.

Backup Jo-Lonn Dunbar went on injured reserve Tuesday with a hamstring injury that he sustained against the Redskins, while reserve Marvin Mitchell also has a hamstring problem that kept him out of them game.



PLAYER NOTES

--LCB Jabari Greer won't play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons after having sports hernia surgery Tuesday. Greer has missed the last four games and will likely miss the rest of the regular season, but should be back for the playoffs.

--SLB Scott Fujita didn't practice again Wednesday and likely will miss his second straight game Sunday as he continues to rehab from surgery for a staph infection in his left knee on Dec. 4.

--RCB Tracy Porter, who has missed the last three games with a sprained MCL in his left knee, did not work Thursday and won't play Sunday.

--RB Mike Bell was limited on Wednesday, but did not practice Thursday because of a right knee problem. It's not known if he'll be able to play against the Falcons.

--LB Marvin Mitchell did not practice again Thursday because of a hamstring injury and could miss his second straight game Sunday.

--WR Lance Moore has been out with hamstring and ankle injuries, but worked on a limited basis again Thursday.

--RCB Randall Gay was again limited Thursday, but his status for Sunday's game with the Falcons was uncertain.

--DT Sedrick Ellis worked limited Thursday, but should play Sunday against the Falcons.

--MLB Jonathan Vilma was limited again with a sore knee, but should play Sunday.

--RB Pierre Thomas has a quadriceps injury, but worked limited Thursday. However, his availability for Sunday was unknown.

--RB Reggie Bush was again limited Thursday, but should play against the Falcons.

--TE Jeremy Shockey, who worked fully Wednesday, was limited Thursday because of a hamstring injury and his status for the game is unknown.

--RG Jahri Evans worked Thursday on a limited basis with a toe injury, but should play against the Falcons.

--C Jonathan Goodwin, who has been bothered by an ankle injury, will play Sunday despite being limited again Thursday.

--T Jermon Bushrod was limited Thursday with a thumb injury and should play Sunday.

--DE Bobby McCray continues to be hampered by a knee injury, but he worked limited Thursday and is expected to play Sunday.

--FS Usama Young, who has hip and calf injuries, worked limited Thursday and his status for Sunday's game was unknown.

--TE Darnell Dinkins, who missed the first half of the season with a foot injury, was limited Thursday.

--RB Lynell Hamilton has a shoulder injury and was limited in Thursday's practice, but should play on Sunday.

GAME PLAN: In their first meeting with the Falcons on Nov. 2, the Saints showed the Falcons a lot of offensive balance in rushing for 146 yards and two scores and throwing for 291 yards and two more TDs. The plan should not change much in the rematch as the Saints will probably look to run the ball against the Falcons' 23rd-ranked run defense and throw it when they can against the league's 29th-ranked pass defense.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Saints front seven vs. Falcons RB Michael Turner. This is one of the keys to the game for the Saints as Turner got off to a solid start in their first game, pounding them for 89 yards and one score en route to a huge 151-yard rushing night. Turner wound up carrying just 20 times and averaged 7.6 yards per attempt, so keeping him under control would be a priority.

Saints SS Roman Harper vs. Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez. The Saints did a fairly decent job on Gonzalez in the first game as he caught six passes for 89 yards. He did not score, but he is always a threat to get the ball down in the red zone. Harper is a physical strong safety and will need to be at his best to help control Gonzalez, who has 69 receptions for 738 yards and five TDs.

Saints LT Jermon Bushrod vs. Falcons RDE John Abraham. While Abraham has only 3.5 sacks so far this season, he's still viewed as a formidable pass rusher. Bushrod did get the better of him in the earlier matchup as Abraham was not credited with a tackle and had just one quarterback hurry as Bushrod kept him away from quarterback Drew Brees.

INJURY IMPACT: SLB Troy Evans will probably start Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons in place of Scott Fujita, who had surgery for a staph infection in his left knee on Dec. 4.

--RCB Tracy Porter will likely miss his fourth straight game against the Falcons with a sprained MCL in his left knee.

--RCB Malcolm Jenkins will probably make his fourth straight start in injured Tracy Porter's place on Sunday.

--LCB Mike McKenzie will likely start if both Greer and Randall Gay, who has a right hamstring injury, can't go against the Falcons.