Adrian

Arrington

The Saints have been bringing in players for workouts, but not wide receivers. They appear content with Devery Henderson, Robert Meachem and Arrington as their wideouts for Sunday’s game against the Bears. Arrington has been with the Saints since 2008, is very familiar with the scheme and has flashed in the preseason. Extreme deep-leaguers can take a look.

Meachem racked up 61 targets last season, so there’s a hole to fill in the Saints’ explosive passing game. The problem is that Arrington doesn’t have nearly the speed or playmaking ability that Meachem had. Devery Henderson, Lance Moore, Joseph Morgan and Arrington will all get their chances.

Though he’s had tough luck with injuries, Arrington has flashed playmaking ability in preseason action since landing in New Orleans as a seventh-round pick in 2008. With Marques Colston and Robert Meachem both set to hit the open market, Arrington could receive a significant bump in playing time in 2012.

Arrington, the veteran of the group at 26, has turned down offers from five other teams and is practicing in the slot. A torn meniscus cost undrafted Morgan the entire 2011 season. He’s learning the Z, or flanker position. Toon was a fourth-round pick this season and is being used as an X, or split end.

Arrington has been “perhaps the biggest star of camp” so far, outshining rookie Nick Toon and second-year speedster Joe Morgan. The battle has a ways to go, but the winner will be a name to keep in mind for the regular season if Jimmy Graham, Marques Colston, Lance Moore, or Devery Henderson goes down.

Arrington missed New Orleans’ first two exhibition games, and it sounds like he’ll miss the final three as well after a visit to the office of Dr. James Andrews. No one has stepped up in the Saints’ fourth receiver derby as of yet.

There are some doubts as to Arrington’s status after early-August knee surgery, but he’s survived the cut and is expected to be ready for Week 1. He’ll have some work to do to reclaim the No. 4 wideout spot.

He was nowhere to be found on the sideline. The Saints informed James Varney of the New Orleans Times-Picayune that Arrington’s absence would be “addressed, post-game.” It sounds like a potentially discipline-related situation.

The Saints deemed Arrington’s absence “precautionary,” which may be the case with New Orleans scheduled to play five preseason games. Joseph Morgan, special teamer Courtney Roby, and UDFA Travaris Cadet picked up extra snaps.

It’s reportedly a meniscus injury, and coach Joe Vitt says the Saints are trying to determine whether Arrington needs surgery. Surgery would likely cost Arrington the early part of the regular season -- assuming it’s a scope -- and end his year in a worst-case scenario. This sounds like another tough break for an annual practice star with his best opportunity for playing time yet.