Bradley Handwerger / WWLTV.com Sports Reporter
bhandwerger@wwltv.com | @wwltvsports
METAIRIE, La. – Linebacker Jonathan Vilma will miss his second consecutive game and third this season after Saints coach Sean Payton listed him as out for New Orleans’ NFC South game at Atlanta on Sunday.
Payton also listed defensive end Turk McBride (left ankle) as out.
Neither practiced Friday.
“The decision for him to be out in this game really wasn’t because we had a bye,” Payton said of Vilma. “It was one based on where we felt he was at.”
Payton added, “We were hoping that gradually it would get better and better. Unfortunately it really remained the same, stagnant. Then all of a sudden he’s trying to play and not playing up to his standards and not getting all the work he needs during the week, as well.”
On the other hand, receiver Lance Moore (right hamstring) and cornerback Patrick Robinson (stomach) didn’t practice but are listed as questionable.
Robinson’s injury is being kept under wraps by Payton, who wouldn’t go into details on what caused the stomach ailments.
Cornerback Tracy Porter (neck/chest) , tight end John Gilmore (neck) and running back Mark Ingram (right heel) were all limited and listed as probable.
Running back Chris Ivory (hamstring) was limited but is questionable.
It’s likely that Ingram will get the nod this week over Ivory.
