Michael

Mauti

Mauti is recovering from the second tear of his left ACL in as many years, but “absolutely” expects to be ready for training camp. He was viewed as a potential day-two pick before going down last November. Mauti is considered a dark-horse candidate for the Vikings’ middle linebacker job, but will most likely be limited to special teams as a rookie if he can avoid the reserve/PUP list.

Mauti (6-foot-2, 243) returned from a 2011 left ACL tear to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior. He recorded 96 tackles, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles, before re-tearing the same ACL late last November. He’s now suffered three ACL tears in his playing career. The Nittany Lions’ middle linebacker may have to redshirt his rookie season. Though never an exceptional athlete, Mauti was Penn State’s best defender when healthy. A probable early-round consideration if not for the checkered medical background, Mauti could be a contributor as soon as 2014.

“I’m sprinting. I’m doing some light agility stuff,” said Mauti, who suffered three ACL tears in college. “So, it’s not like I’m limping around here.” Mauti’s most recent tear was to his left ACL on November 17, at a time he was playing well enough some projected him as a second- or third-round pick. Mauti will be given a look, but he’s a long shot to start as a rookie.

“We’re going to start rehabbing him, but he should be ready to go by training camp,” said GM Rick Spielman. Mauti, the No. 213 overall pick, suffered three torn ACLs in his college career at Penn State. Whenever he returns to health, Mauti is expected to compete for the starting middle linebacker job.

Mauti has ulcerative colitis. He’ll require “significant time” to recover. A linchpin special teamer, Mauti will be a free agent in the offseason.

That puts him at 220, which is still 23 pounds below his playing weight. Mauti had a second surgery in February and will undergo a third in mid-April. After that, the 27-year-old believes he’ll need about 10 weeks to get back into playing shape. The Saints have expressed interest in re-signing Mauti, who has served as a core special teamer since entering the league in 2013.

A seventh-round pick in the 2013 draft, Mauti has been unable to stay on the field due to health problems. He appeared in eight games for the Saints last season before undergoing surgery to fight ulcerative colitis in November.

A 2013 seventh rounder, Mauti has barely played in the regular season. The Saints will be hoping he can develop as a special teamer.

Mauti made 11 appearances in 2017, playing 63 snaps on defense. He will try to maintain his 53-man roster spot with reserve and special teams duties.

Mauti appeared in 11 games with the Saints last year, but played just 62 defensive snaps. He should resurface in a special teams role.