Saints put DE Grant on IR for playoffs

Posted: Jan 5, 2010 4:17 PM by Brett Troxler
Updated: Jan 18, 2010 9:55 AM
Source: Associated Press

Topics: Saints, New Orleans, Charles Grant, DE, defensive end, injury, injured reserve, IR, playoffs, triceps

The New Orleans Saints placed defensive end Charles Grant on injured reserved Tuesday, meaning the team will have to make its playoff run without a veteran defensive starter.

The Saints said Grant has a triceps injury that will end the season for the eight-year veteran. Grant had surgery to repair the torn muscle.

Grant was hurt in New Orleans' 23-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers, the regular season finale. He missed the last eight games of last season with a similar injury. He started every game in 2009 and had 53 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble.

The Saints re-signed veteran defensive end Paul Spicer to take Grant's place on the roster. Spicer, a 10-year veteran of the NFL, first joined the Saints as a free agent last spring and played in all four preseason games before being released.

New Orleans (13-3) has a first-round bye in the playoffs. The Saints will next play on Jan. 16 in the Louisiana Superdome against Philadelphia, Green Bay or Arizona, depending on this weekend's first-round results.