Bradley Handwerger / WWLTV.com Sports Reporter
METAIRIE, La. – Lance Moore originally injured his groin when the Saints were in Oxnard, Calif., during training camp on Aug. 24.
Three weeks later, Moore – who has missed all but one practice since – is optimistic this is the week he returns, when the Saints host Chicago in their home opener (noon, Sunday).
“I feel good,” Moore said. “I’m optimistic and trying to do everything I can to get out there.”
Moore has missed time in the past, playing in only seven games during the 2009 regular season after sustaining a high-ankle sprain, an injury he said was more bothersome than his current issue.
One of quarterback Drew Brees’ go-to players, Moore has 2,156 receiving yards in 59 games with the Saints. He also has 22 touchdowns.
At the outset of training camp, Moore signed a five-year contract with New Orleans, signaling the Saints’ long-term investment in the quiet leader.
Now he just wants to get back on the field, but not to the detriment of the rest of the season.
“My mentality is I want to be out there,” Moore said. “But coach Payton has done a good job communicating that we don’t want this one-week injury to turn into a four- or five or even six-week injury.
“We’re going to kind of see how my body reacts to being out at practice and go from there.”
