ESPN NFL

METAIRIE, La. -- Charles Grant participated in an offseason training session at the New Orleans Saints' suburban headquarters Wednesday, a day after being indicted by a grand jury in Georgia on an involuntary manslaughter charge.

Saints' Smith Skips Workout

New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith skipped an optional offseason training session on Wednesday, apparently because he is unhappy with his contract.

"You'd like to have all your players here. You know, it's not unusual. You just go around the league and each team's got a player or two that's unhappy with a contract," Saints head coach Sean Payton said.

Smith, who received about $20 million in bonuses when he signed as a first-round draft choice out of Ohio State in 2004, is slated to earn a base salary of $850,000 next season.

With performance incentives, that figure could grow to close to $3 million.

However, Smith made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and led the Saints with seven sacks last season. He also was among the team leaders in tackles with 66.

Payton said he expects Smith to be at minicamp at the end of this month, for which attendance is mandatory.

-- The Associated Press

"Obviously it's something we take very seriously and certainly our condolences go out to the family" of the victim, Saints coach Sean Payton said. "What's most important is the justice system taking its process. It's something the league will handle and certainly the state of Georgia will handle."

The charges stem from a February altercation at a nightclub.

Grant, who was stabbed in the neck during the fracas, was charged by an Early County grand jury that also charged Laquient Macklin with felony murder and feticide in the shooting death of Korynda Reed, 23. Reed died after being taken to the Southeast Alabama Medical Center in Dothan, after the fight early Feb. 3.

Grant, a starting defensive end who was taken by the Saints in the first round of the 2002 draft, was not available for comment. The Saints planned to open their locker room for player comments later Wednesday afternoon but it was not clear if Grant would be there.

Grant's lawyer, Edward Tolley of Athens, Ga., said Grant never should have been charged in the victim's death.

"Charles is not alleged to have fired the weapon that killed [Reed] so the circumstances of the indictment are unique," Tolley said. "We, of course, dispute that he should have been charged because he did not shoot a gun. He did not cause the death of the person that died and we believe that we can prove that.

"It was only alleged he was in a fight and it's a pretty good leap in logic to charge Charles [in the shooting death], but they did, so we have to deal with it," Tolley continued.

Tolley said Grant plans to turn himself in and post bond on Thursday, before returning to New Orleans soon after so he can participate in Saints minicamp at the end of this month.

Payton said he also expected Grant to be at minicamp unless legal matters cause a scheduling conflict.

Woodrow Gray was indicted on a charge of aggravated assault in the knife attack on Grant, a former University of Georgia star from nearby Colquitt.

In addition to Grant and Macklin, Marshae Stromer, Anthony Wilson, Jarvis Tinson, Rodreaco Gray and Woodrow Gray were charged with involuntary manslaughter for alleged participation in the fight.

Grant also received misdemeanor fighting charges.

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press