McAllister passes test in comeback

• By LES EAST
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Aug 17, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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NEW ORLEANS — No Saints player was more eager than running back Deuce McAllister to participate in the preseason game against Houston on Saturday night in the Superdome.

McAllister had sat out the preseason opener while working his way back from major surgery on both knees. He saw his first game action in 327 days and passed the test by rushing four times for 16 yards and catching two passes for 10 yards in New Orleans’ 31-27 loss.

“It went well,” McAllister said. “I ran with some toughness, and I put my foot down a couple of times in there. I still have some things to work on, but it’s a good start. I’ve had to stay patient through the whole process, and I’m still trying to make all the effort over the past year pay off.”

If McAllister’s knee shows no ill effects from Saturday’s game, he’ll likely get more work in the preseason game at Cincinnati next Saturday, then play little if at all in the preseason finale at home against Miami on Aug. 28.

“It was good to see him back and in there getting some confidence in his first game back,” coach Sean Payton said. “I thought he ran the ball well with the carries that he had.”

McAllister was cheered loudly by the Saints’ fans as he lined up for the game’s first offensive snap along with four wideouts, including backup halfback Reggie Bush. McAllister took a handoff from Drew Brees and gained 4 yards before trotting to the sideline as New Orleans changed personnel groups.

He didn’t return to the game until the Saints’ last possession of the first half as Bush handled most of the carries in between. Payton said the plan was to get McAllister and Bush about “12 to 14 snaps and four to five carries each.”

“I was a little tentative at times because you have to make sudden moves,” McAllister said. “I was just happy to be playing after sitting out 10 or 11 months. It’s a starting point, something to build upon.”

Bush said he was “excited” to see McAllister back on the field, and Brees echoed that.