METAIRIE, Mississippi (AP) — New Orleans Saints nose tackle John Jenkins, a former star at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Georgia, has been placed on the physically unable to perform list to begin training camp.
Jenkins missed the team’s OTAs after having pectoral surgery, according to a nola.com report.
The first practice of camp is Friday at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Defensive end Cheta Ozougwu will also start training camp on the PUP list, while rookie offensive tackle Tavon Rooks will begin training camp on the non-football injury list.
Saints coach Sean Payton did not give a timetable on Jenkins’ return when asked during OTAs last month, but players can come off the PUP list at any time. However, they cannot be placed on the preseason PUP list once they practice.
Players on the PUP list can participate in meetings and use the facilities, but cannot practice until activated off the list. If a player remains on the PUP list once the regular season begins, he must remain on the list for at least six weeks.
Victor Butler (ACL), Marques Colston (foot) and Patrick Robinson (knee) all begin the 2013 training camp on the PUP list. Victor Butler remained there during the season and never returned, while Colston and Robinson both started the regular season on time. However, Robinson injured his patella in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was placed on injured reserve.
The 6-foot-3, 359 pound Jenkins is entering his second season after being selected by the Saints in the third round of the 2013 draft. Jenkins played in all 16 games last season, and started five games in place of an injured Brodrick Bunkley. He finished the season with 21 tackles.
