Gramatica on IR; Saints sign Mehlhaff

• By SHELDON MICKLES
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Oct 9, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:48 a.m.

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METAIRIE — Two days after having a field-goal attempt blocked and returned for a touchdown and also missing a potential game-winning kick, New Orleans Saints kicker Martin Gramatica was put on injured reserve Wednesday with a groin problem.

Gramatica did make a 53-yard field goal in a 30-27 loss to Minnesota on Monday night, but Saints coach Sean Payton said the nine-year veteran, who was hurt during pregame warmups for a game on Sept. 28, woke up Tuesday with more soreness.

“It was different than what he had had before,” Payton said after practice Wednesday. “He’s had a sports hernia — I think two — previously, and he’s going to have it examined again later today. We felt it was best to put him on injured reserve because he’s going to be out for a while.”

The Saints signed rookie Taylor Mehlhaff, who lost a kicking duel with Gramatica in training camp, to handle the kicking duties for Sunday’s game with Oakland in the Superdome. Mehlhaff, who made 2 of 3 field-goal tries in preseason, was the Saints’ sixth-round draft pick this spring.

Gramatica, who nailed his first eight field-goal attempts with the Saints after being signed last December, had a rough three-week stretch. He missed four of his last seven attempts — including another potential game-winner at Denver on Sept. 21.

“I’ve been back at school (Wisconsin) waiting for another chance, and this was an unbelievable opportunity,” Mehlhaff said. “I didn’t hold a grudge or anything. the Saints made a business decision (when he was cut on Aug. 30). I’m grateful that I’m getting a second chance, so I’m going to make the best of it and move on from here.”

For a team plagued by injuries in the first five weeks of the season, the Saints received a little good news Wednesday when they practiced for the first time since the loss to the Vikings.

Wide receiver Marques Colston, who’s missed the last four games with a torn ligament in his left thumb, and tight end Jeremy Shockey, who had surgery for a sports hernia on Sept. 23, worked on a limited basis.

Payton said Colston had his cast removed Friday and caught passes with only a brace on his left hand. He and Shockey both got reps in the team drills and Payton said both could have a chance at playing against the Raiders.

“I’m more optimistic. I was pleased with what I saw today, and I saw more than I expected to see,” Payton said. “Both of them actually took reps and moved around well. We’ll see (today) how they feel, especially Jeremy.”