Harper’s 55-yard punt return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter was about the only moment worth remembering in an otherwise yawner of a game in which the Dolphins won 10-7. The return helps the former AFL 2 player’s shot at making the final roster.
Harper is battling for the fifth receiver spot with Skyler Green, Courtney Roby and Adrian Arrington. Green missed a shot a touchdown just before halftime. Roby had a catch for 8 yards and three returns for 71 yards. Arrington didn’t have a catch. Harper had three returns for 71 yards and two catches for 29 yards.
“It’s good to see Rod Harper make a play in the kicking game to sort of get us back in it, but we’ve got to do better on offense,” said head coach Sean Payton after the game.
The Saints offense gave up 8 sacks in the game.
Running back Reggie Bush was expected to play about a quarter of football but did not go, “We went through pregame he felt pretty good but I didn’t want to have a set back,” Payton said.
Fellow running backs Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell also watched the game giving Lynell Hamilton the bulk of the carries. Hamilton rushed nine times for 34 yards, but caught six passes for 88 yards.
Another player making an impact in the game was linebacker Jo-Lunn Dunbar. Dunbar had a ridiculous game with 13 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a recovery. Rookie first round draft pick Malcolm Jenkins was next in tackles with seven, six of them on the solo end.
Just one main injury took place in the game and that came in the second quarter to tight end Billy Miller. Miller suffered an injury to his ankle and was helped off the field and then carted to the locker, a towel draped on his head.
The Saints finish the preseason 3-1 and now prepare to open the regular season a week from Sunday in the Superdome against Detroit. The team will have meetings and treatments tomorrow, take the weekend off and start the regular workweek on Monday.
Saints head coach Sean Payton and his staff must cut the roster down to 53 by 3pm on Saturday.
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