New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who has been embroiled in the bounty scheme saga, says that he will come off the physically unable to perform list after an equally lengthy battle with a knee injury.
"I'll be allowed to practice, I'll be allowed to play versus Tampa Bay," Vilma said, according to WVUE-TV in New Orleans.
Vilma, who went on the PUP list in Week 2, has been dealing with the injury to his left knee since last season and has had numerous procedures, including the now popular platelet-rich plasma therapy in Germany.
"I'm feeling good, feeling good," Vilma said, according to the station. "I know that the media hasn't seen much of me for a while, but I've actually been working out, working hard, training hard so I can get to this point to be able to give our team a chance to win in Tampa Bay."
Vilma was suspended for one season for his role in the Saints bounty scandal, but the penalty was vacated on a technicality. Commissioner Roger Goodell has now reinstated his suspension, and Vilma has appealed, along with Will Smith, Scott Fujita and Anthony Hargrove.
The appeal asks that Goodell recuse himself from the proceedings on the grounds that he can't be impartial.
All four players are eligible to play or at least get paid until the NFL rules on their latest appeals. The new appeals hearings likely will take place a week from Tuesday, according to a source.
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