Source: Saints’ Kikaha re-injures left knee

METAIRIE, La.—New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha has an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his left knee, the same knee in which the 2015 second-round draft choice had ACL repairs twice during his college career at Washington, said a person familiar with the situation.

The person said physicians continue to evaluate the full extent of the injury, but that Kikaha will not play in the 2016 season. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Monday because the Saints and Kikaha have not publicly discussed the injury.

Kikaha played in 15 games as a rookie and was in on 50 tackles with four sacks, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

He was injured during voluntary offseason practices last week, but the Saints have not yet placed him on injured reserve.

Kikaha’s previous left anterior cruciate ligament injuries sidelined him for most of 2011 and all of 2012. However, he flourished after coming back for 2013 and 2014 seasons, finishing his Washington career with a school-record 36 career sacks. He led all Division I Football Bowl Subdivision players in sacks with 19 in 2014 and was named Associated Press first-team All-America. The Saints then drafted him 44th overall, hoping he could improve a defense that has ranked next to last in the NFL the past two seasons.

The 6-foot-2, 253-pound Kikaha was expected to play a somewhat different role this season, lining up as more of a pass rusher off the edge than as a traditional outside linebacker. Before his injury, he’d said he was enjoying the change.

When he missed practice last Thursday, several teammates expressed concern that Kikaha could be sidelined for an extended period, but they did not discuss specifics about the injury.