New Orleans Saints rookie Roman Harper, who broke into the starting lineup as a weakside safety, has a torn ligament in his knee and will miss the remainder of the season.
Team officials confirmed that tests on Harper's left knee revealed Monday that he had a tear of his anterior cruciate ligament.
``It's unfortunate because he's been playing well,'' Saints coach Sean Payton said.
Fellow Saints Deuce McAllister and Michael Lewis went out with similar injuries in 2005. McAllister has come back strong this season while Lewis has yet to return because of an additional arthroscopic procedure on the same knee.
Harper, taken in the second round of the NFL draft from Alabama, started the Saints' first five games. His last play in the Saints victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday was a big one. He was in on a third-down tackle that forced a Tampa Bay punt with the Saints trailing 21-17 in the fourth quarter.
Reggie Bush ended up returning that punt 65 yards for the eventual game-winning touchdown.
Overall, Harper had 33 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and broke up three passes.
Veteran safety Omar Stoutmire is likely to replace Harper in this Sunday's home game against Philadelphia. Stoutmire is in his 10th season, and has played for Dallas, both New York teams and Washington.
Other reserve safeties on the Saints' roster include special teams standout Steve Gleason and Bryan Scott, although Scott has been inactive in recent games because of a thigh injury.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
