Saints interim coach Joe Vitt said WR Adrian Arrington had knee surgery Monday and would be back at the training facility later in the day. Arrington, a candidate for the fourth receiver spot, missed the first two preseason games after experiencing pain in his meniscus.
“His surgery was successful as deemed by the doctors,” Vitt said.
RB Darren Sproles came out of the New England game with a sore knee and didn't practice Monday. Vitt said Sproles will be held out of Friday’s game with Jacksonville as a precaution along with TE Jimmy Graham, who hurt his back in a fall at practice against the Patriots last week. Graham participated in individual drills Monday but not in team drills.
“If we had to play (a regular season game) this weekend,’ he would play,” Vitt said. “We are just being a little cautious with him right now. He is fine.”
Vitt said rookie WR Nick Toon, a fourth-round pick, would miss his third consecutive preseason game this Friday with a foot injury but is expected to return to practice early next week. Also unavailable at practice Monday were reserve DE Turk McBride (sprained ankle), who will miss at least the rest of the week, and reserve DT Tom Johnson (sprained ankle).
Robinson back: CB Patrick Robinson, out since the first Sunday of training camp with a shoulder injury, returned to practice Monday and immediately made an impact. Running right with wide receiver Marques Colston, he picked off a Drew Brees pass in 11-on-11 work. Robinson also blitzed untouched for what would have been an easy sack of Brees if quarterbacks were allowed to be hit.
With CB Jabari Greer still recuperating from sports hernia surgery, Johnny Patrick, Corey White and Marquis Johnson all took reps with the first-team defense opposite Robinson.
Who’s hot: FS Malcolm Jenkins and WR Courtney Roby. Jenkins turned in the play of the day on Monday, deflecting and grabbing a Brees pass from point-blank range near the line of scrimmage for a tough interception. Roby toasted Patrick twice on deep patterns, fooling him with an out-and-up move once and running right by him the second time. Mark Roby is a virtual lock to make the 53-man roster for the fourth consecutive year after arriving in midseason of 2008.
Who’s not: Patrick and RB Chris Ivory. Patrick is competing for the top role at nickelback. If Ivory is any jeopardy of getting cut, he didn't help himself Monday, fumbling once and jumping on a Brees hard count that was supposed to draw the defense offside. Ivory, who has rushed for 1,090 yards in the last two years, and rookie free agent Travaris Cadet are competing for the fourth RB spot behind Sproles, Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram.
Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on twitter@CBSSportsNFLNO.
