The New Orleans Saints' defense received some bad news yesterday announcing that former defensive end Will Smith, who was making the transition to outside linebacker will be lost for the season due to a knee injury suffered in the team's 31-23 preaseason victory Sunday over the Houston Texans.
Smith's injury could prove to be a major blow to the Saints' new 3-4 scheme under defensive
coordinator Rob Ryan already reeling from the injuries to Victor Butler, Jonathan Vilma,
Junior Galette and Martez Wilson..
To fill Smith's void, the Saints traded for San Francisco 49ers' backer Parys Haralson. After
departing the 49ers locker room yesterday Haralson's deferred comment to the 49ers' front
office, other than to say, "I'm outta here."
Reportedly the Saints have offered a seventh-round draft pick in the 2014 draft.
San Francisco's Aldon Smith replaced Haralson in the 49ers lineup last season at right outside
linebacker, and delivered a franchise-record 19 1/2 sacks.
Haralson, a 2006 fifth-round draft pick out of Tennessee, started 68 games in his career and
recorded 21 1/2 sacks in 86 contests before sitting out last season with a torn triceps.
The San Francisco 49ers come to New Orleans Nov. 17.
Will Smith,32, a first-round pick, 18th overall by the Saints out of Ohio State in 2004,
contributed 58 tackles with six sacks last season after taking a pay cut to remain with the
Saints. Smith produced 67.5 sacks in 139 career games as a defensive end before transitioning
to linebacker this year.
The Saints, 3-0, close out the preseason Thursday night on the road, taking on the Miami
Dolphins with a 6:30 kickoff.
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