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JACKSON, Miss. -- Deuce McAllister and Jeremy Shockey are among several projected regulars that Saints coach Sean Payton has decided to keep out of the lineup when New Orleans plays its first preseason game Thursday at Arizona.
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Cornerbacks Mike McKenzie and Tracy Porter, as well as wide receiver Devery Henderson, will sit out as well, Payton said Monday.
Most of the players are resting as a precaution.
McAllister might have had his best day of practice on Monday since having reconstructive surgery on his left knee and microfracture surgery on his right knee after a season-ending left anterior cruciate ligament tear in 2007. McAllister participated in two practices in a single day for the first time since training camp began on July 24.
Shockey is coming back from a broken left leg last December, and Payton has taken it easy on him since training camp began. Full story
Ex-Chiefs OL Welbourn joins Patriots
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Offensive lineman John Welbourn, who started every game at right guard last season for Kansas City, signed with the New England Patriots.
The Patriots also released rookie defensive lineman Chris Norwell.
Welbourn joins the Patriots about a month before they will open their season against his former team in Foxborough on Sept. 7. He was released last February after his fourth season with the Chiefs. He also played five years with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Welbourn has started 95 of the 103 games in which he has played after being drafted in the fourth round out of California-Berkeley in 1999.
Bengals, 2007 second-rounder Irons part ways
CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals cut ties with injured running back Kenny Irons.
Irons was their second-round draft pick last year, but injured his left knee during a preseason game. The Bengals waived him on July 25, and put him on an injury reserve list after he passed through waivers unclaimed.
They waived him again on Monday, an indication they weren't optimistic about his chances of a comeback.
Rudi Johnson is the team's starting running back, and Chris Perry is trying to return from two injury-shortened seasons.
Bills rookie Bowen's season likely over
PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills linebacker Alvin Bowen is scheduled for surgery next week on a torn right knee ligament, likely ending his rookie season before it starts.
Coach Dick Jauron said the Bills' fifth-round pick will need months to recuperate. The team hasn't determined whether to place Bowen on season-ending injured reserve. If he returns, it will be late in the regular season.
Bowen tore his ACL during practice Friday when he pulled up to avoid tackling fullback Jonathan Evans during a non-contact drill. Bowen's right cleat stuck in the turf, his knee buckled and he fell awkwardly, yelling in pain.
Bowen had been competing for a backup spot and a regular role on special teams.
Washington's Kelly has knee surgery
ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins rookie receiver Malcolm Kelly had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to be sidelined for two more weeks.
Kelly injured his right hamstring during training camp practice July 25 and has since been complaining of soreness in both knees. He returned last week to take part in some drills but was obviously laboring while on the field. He sat out Sunday's Hall of Fame game against the Indianapolis Colts.
The surgery, performed at the Andrews Institute in Pensacola, Fla., removed loose particles from the knee.
"It has been kind of stiff. ... We just thought we'd do things as soon as we can if there is a problem," coach Jim Zorn said.
Kelly was a second-round pick from Oklahoma in this year's draft. He and fellow rookie Devin Thomas were expected to contend for the No. 3 receiving spot, but both have been hurt for much of camp. Thomas missed Sunday's game with a hamstring injury and also isn't expect to play in Saturday's game against Buffalo.
O.J. Simpson's co-defendant pleads guilty
LAS VEGAS -- A fourth co-defendant pleaded guilty in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery and kidnapping case.
Charles Ehrlich entered his plea to reduced charges of attempted accessory to robbery and attempted burglary, and agreed to testify against Simpson at the Hall of Fame football player's upcoming trial.
Ehrlich is one of six men who accompanied Simpson during a confrontation last September with two sports memorabilia dealers at a casino hotel room.
He's now the fourth to take a plea deal, leaving one co-defendant, Clarence "C.J." Stewart, facing trial with Simpson beginning Sept. 8.
Simpson and Stewart have pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon that could put them in prison for life if convicted.