Chris

Chamberlain

It was a non-contact injury and Leber was seen on the sideline bicycle shortly after. He was replaced by backup Chris Chamberlain.

The Saints are casting a wide net in their search for linebacker help. Chamberlain played for new Saints DC Steve Spagnuolo the past three years in St. Louis.

Chamberlain will arrive Thursday night and spend Friday in New Orleans. He has experience with new Saints defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo from their days together in St. Louis, and can play both outside linebacker spots.

If Vilma is suspended, as expected, Lofton will move back to the middle with David Hawthorne on the weak side and Scott Shanle on the strong side. Chris Chamberlain, signed away from the Rams, could end up competing for snaps with Shanle.

The No. 72 pick in last year’s draft, Wilson saw limited action as a rookie. Newcomer Chris Chamberlain will work on the weak side and a potential Jonathan Vilma suspension would keep Curtis Lofton in the middle. Wilson will compete with Will Herring and possibly Scott Shanle for starter’s snaps on the strong side. It’s the 23-year-old’s job to lose.

He’s reunited with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, under whom Chamberlain spent the last three seasons. The 26-year-old started 13-of-16 games in 2011, racking up 81 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, and an interception. Look for Chamberlain to compete with Scott Shanle to start at weak-side ‘backer.

The Rams are “early in talks” with Chamberlain, who was one of the team’s better run defenders as a first-year starter. The coaching staff also believes Bell showed improved blocking ability later in the season. Jones was considered for the franchise tag at one point.

Chamberlain was in the mix to start at strong-side linebacker. The Saints will now likely turn to some combination of 2011 starter Scott Shanle and Will Herring. A four-year veteran, Chamberlain started 13 games for the Rams last season, notching 81 tackles and two sacks. Still only 26, he should be back with the Saints in 2013 with a reasonable $1.05 million base salary.

On Tuesday, Shanle was the SAM backer in the morning, and Chamberlain ran with the starters in the afternoon practice. Chamberlain is a good bet to win out because he knows DC Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme the best, and is nearly six years younger than Shanle. Shanle’s roster spot may hang in the balance.

Chamberlain tore his left ACL during the second preseason game. A 13-game starter for the Rams in 2012, he was expected to help a thin Saints’ defense that got even thinner this month due to injuries. Chamberlain should be back in 2014 at his $1.05 million base salary.