The New Orleans Saints planned well for life without the suspended Jonathan Vilma, but he's not the only linebacker about to miss significant time.
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Starter Chris Chamberlain is out for the season after he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Friday night's preseason loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Chamberlain confirmed the injury to Gene Higginbotham of WhoDatDish.com, saying he "" while trying to make a tackle on Jaguars running back Montell Owens in the second quarter. Trainers worked on Chamberlain's knee along the sideline before carting him away.
"Definitely been feeling the love of my friends, family, and the #WHODATNATION!" Chamberlain tweeted Saturday. "Unfortunately my season is over but working for 2013 begins!"
Chamberlain, part of a rebuilt Saints linebacker group, was penciled in to start on the outside in coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's defense. It's a significant loss for the Saints, who likely will lean on a combination of Scott Shanle, David Hawthorne, Will Herring and Jonathan Casillas on the edges, with Curtis Lofton manning the middle.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.