The Saints have reportedly lost one of their best young players for the 2016 season.
Pass rushing specialist Hau’oli Kikaha will likely miss the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Fox Sports reported the news first Thursday. Kikaha was not at spring practice Thursday.
Kikaha had 4 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in 2015. He was a second round pick of the Saints, #44 overall, in the 2015 draft. Kikaha tore his ACL twice in college at Washington.
Meantime, 10 year veteran Roman Harper returned to the Saints. Here’s is video of Harper at Thursday’s practice.
Harper was a starter on the Saints 2009 Super Bowl champions. He was a second round pick by the Saints in 2006. Head coach Sean Payton was asked if the Saints missed Harper’s leadership?
Harper. who played the last two seasons in Carolina, said he had to learn how to win. He says it is a message he hopes to give to Saints players.
At Thursday’s practice, the Saints two second round picks, both from Ohio State, had big plays. Wide receiver Michael Thomas made a big catch in the endzone with cornerback PJ Williams draped over him. Safety Vonn Bell intercepted quarterback Garrett Grayson.