Stanley

Arnoux

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that Vaughn and LB Stanley Arnoux (Achilles) would be held out of rookie minicamp due to injuries. It turns out they’re not participating because they’re no longer rookies. Both players are considered fully recovered from last year’s injuries.

It’s not known how significant the injury is, but we’ll have the details shortly.

A tough break for the fourth-rounder, a teammate of Aaron Curry’s at Wake Forest. Arnoux was expected to give Scott Shanle some competition on the weakside and play special teams. He’ll undergo surgery in the next 7-10 days.

Arnoux played inside adjacent Aaron Curry for the Demon Deacons, but will flip outside in New Orleans’ scheme. The Saints aren’t happy with WLB Scott Shanle’s play of late, and Arnoux could give him a run this summer.

Dr. Robert Anderson did the surgery in Charlotte. The Saints could consider keeping Arnoux on PUP to open the season or immediately place him on I.R.

Arnoux, who had his torn Achilles surgically repaired in mid-May, would be just five months removed from the operation by the time he could come off PUP in Week 7. He’s more likely to go on season-ending injured reserve.

A college teammate of Aaron Curry and the Broncos’ Alphonso Smith, Arnoux suffered a torn Achilles during rookie camp in May. He should be fully recovered, and competing for a roster spot, by training camp 2010.

It’s the second straight year that an Achilles injury has ended his season. The special teamer’s season ends with five tackles in nine games.

Like rookie TE Jimmy Graham, Arnoux sustained the ankle injury in the preseason opener against the Patriots. He’s competing for a spot on special teams and reserve linebacker.