Star rookie for NFL Saints sidelined for season

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2006

NEW ORLEANS, United States (AFP) — Roman Harper, who made a major impact on defense for the New Orleans Saints in his rookie season, will miss the rest of the National Football League campaign with a left knee injury. The Saints announced here Tuesday that the safety had suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in a 24-21 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday, a triumph that lifted the once-woeful Saints to 4-1 this season.

"It's unfortunate because he has been playing well," Saints coach Sean Payton said. Harper became a starter and made 33 tackles, a sack, three pass deflections and forced a fumble in five games. The Saints have already won more games this season than last, when their 3-13 campaign was disrupted by a forced relocation due to damage here from Hurricane...