Saints place kick returner on IR, waive cornerback after judge's decision
The Saints placed kick returner Courtney Roby on injured reserve and waived cornerback David Pittman, a necessary move following a federal judge's decision to block the suspensions of Will Smith and Deuce McAllister.
The Saints were given a temporary roster exemption by the NFL over the weekend after Friday's ruling by U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson in Minneapolis allowed Smith and McAllister to return to New Orleans' active roster for Sunday's victory over the Falcons.
Smith and McAllister were among six players suspended four games by the NFL on Dec. 2 for violating of the league's anti-doping policy. Soon after, the Saints signed defensive ends Rob Ninkovich from Miami's practice squad and Tearrius George from Dallas' practice squad.
Because Ninkovich and George were taken from other teams' practice squads, the Saints must keep them active for three weeks. Neither dressed Sunday, but New Orleans was required to cut two other players by Monday to reduce its active roster to the normal maximum of 53.
Roby hurt his right ankle during a kick return in the third quarter Sunday and was not expected back for Thursday night's game in Chicago. Pittman had been inactive for all four games he spent with the club.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
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