Saints safety Darren Sharper could miss offseason workouts

Although the New Orleans Saints Sean Payton did not make it clear when starting safety Darren Sharper would be available in his Saints jersey to participate in team’s offseason programs, some clues was there in Payton’s recently comments on the safety to indicate that Sharper might be held out until training camp.



According to Payton, Sharper is still working his way back into shape after undergoing a knee surgery that was originally reported to be arthroscopic surgery but later was said to be a microfracture procedure after he was signed back by the Saints. Payton said the team has been told by doctors that the rehab needs a longer time than expected and is currently somewhere in the middle, so it’s reasonable to expect Sharper to return by the time training camp. Before that, Sharper would have some proper workout on his own in preparation for hard training camp.

While talking about Sharper, it’s inevitable to mention a much younger safety Malcom Jenkins, who was formerly playing as cornerback but will be moved to safety this year. Payton said that Jenkins always learns quickly and his physical traits would make him a best backup at the position of safety.