Injury-riddled Saints acquire Haralson from 49ers
Riddled with injuries to their linebacking corps, the New Orleans Saints agreed to a trade with the San Francisco 49ers for eight-year veteran Parys Haralson.
The 49ers will receive a conditional 2014 NFL Draft pick.
The Saints lost Will Smith, who was transitioning to the Jack linebacker position, to a season-ending knee injury. The Saints had already lost Victor Butler, their projected starter on the strong side, to a torn ACL in one of their final organized team activities in mid-June.
To compound the problem, former defensive end Junior Galette, who had been backing up Smith in offseason workouts, suffered a leg injury two days before the preseason opener and hasn't played or practiced since.
Also, third-year pro Martez Wilson dislocated his left elbow in late July and only recently returned to practice. When both Galette and Wilson are healthy, they would probably start at the outside linebacker spots.
Another possibility is Jay Richardson, who has started opposite Smith in the absence of Galette and Wilson. Richardson has not played in a regular-season game since 2010.
The Saints are also hurting at inside linebacker as Jonathan Vilma is out indefinitely after having his knee scoped on Aug. 15. The Saints have not given out any more information on him or a timeline for when they expect him to return.
A fifth-round pick in 2006, Haralson has played in 86 career games, including 68 starts.
"Parys has been a consummate professional throughout his seven years as a 49er," said 49ers general manager Trent Baalke. "His leadership, work ethic and dedication to our organization, and the Bay Area community, have provided a great example for our locker room. We would like to thank Parys for his many contributions on and off the field and wish him the very best."
