Saints work out two fullbacks

• By SHELDON MICKLES
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Oct 29, 2009

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With fullback Heath Evans’ status likely in doubt for Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday worked out two veteran fullbacks.

General Manager Mickey Loomis confirmed Wednesday evening via e-mail that Darian Barnes, an eight-year veteran who played in four games with the Saints last season, and Kyle Eckel were brought in Tuesday for workouts.

Loomis, however, didn’t respond to a question concerning the severity of the knee injury to Evans, who was hurt in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

Saints coach Sean Payton said Tuesday he’d have an update today on Evans and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, who also left Sunday’s game with a knee injury — as well as strongside linebacker Scott Fujita, who did not play against the Dolphins because of a strained calf.

The Saints were off Wednesday after Payton pushed back the normal Wednesday-to-Saturday practice schedule one day because of the Monday night game. They’ll return to the practice field today.

Barnes was with the Saints this offseason, but was released just before training camp. Eckel has not played this season after appearing in 17 games the last two seasons with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.

Hill signed by Eagles

Loomis said rookie running back P.J. Hill, a member of the Saints practice squad for the first seven weeks of the season, was signed to the Eagles’ 53-man active roster Wednesday.

Hill, an undrafted free agent, made an impression on the Saints in training camp and the team’s four exhibition games, but could not make the active roster behind a loaded backfield that includes Reggie Bush, Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Lynell Hamilton.

The Eagles signed Hill to help add backfield depth after veteran Brian Westbrook suffered a concussion Monday night against Washington.

Loomis said the Saints would sign rookie Herb Donaldson to the practice squad today. Donaldson also impressed in training camp, but the Saints kept Hill over him when they put together their practice squad after the final cuts.

NFL honors Sharper

Saints free safety Darren Sharper on Wednesday was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October.