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METAIRIE, La. -- Jonathan Vilmas season is over and his future on the football field is in doubt. The New Orleans Saints placed Vilma to injured reserve, ending his season -- and possibly his career -- only three days after he had returned for his first game of this season. Still, his teammates expect him to be around and play a role in their success going forward. "Hes the heart and soul (of the defence). His voice speaks very, very loud," veteran safety Roman Harper said. "Hes always with us. He taught me how to play this game. Theres a mental aspect of what he brings to a team and the leadership aspect is matched by none. Hell still be around and still be doing whatever he needs to do. "Weve always called him player-coach anyway," Harper added. "He knows everything." Vilma began the season on short-term injured reserve because of an arthroscopic procedure in August on his left knee, which has troubled him through multiple surgeries over the past two-plus seasons. The designation allowed the 10th-year linebacker to return to practice in Week 8 and to the active roster in Week 9. Vilma was activated Saturday and played 12 defensive snaps in a 26-20 loss to his former team, the New York Jets, on Sunday. That represented about 20 per cent of the Saints defensive snaps. He was credited with one tackle. Vilma was not present in the locker room at Saints headquarters when it was open to reporters on Wednesday. After Sundays game, Vilma said he "felt fine," but added that he was eager to see how his knee responded in the coming days. "It felt good to get back on the field to run around, really be with the guys, be with my teammates," Vilma said. Coach Sean Payton did not explain or even acknowledge the roster move when he met with reporters after practice Wednesday, about two hours before it had been formally posted by the NFL. Payton generally declines to address roster moves until theyve been made official. However, the coach on Monday offered few compliments when asked about Vilmas return to action in New York. "He looked OK, rusty," Payton said. "There are some things that we have to get cleaned up." Vilma was traded by the Jets to the Saints in 2008 and was a captain of the 2009 Super Bowl championship team. For his first four seasons in New Orleans, Vilma started at middle linebacker and was designated as the on-field defensive play-caller, with the earpiece in his helmet that allowed him to hear the defensive co-ordinators instructions before each play. That ended last season, when Vilma was unable to train with the Saints for much of the off-season because of his suspension in connection with the NFLs bounty probe. The league named Vilma a ring-leader in a cash-for-hits program administered by former defensive co-ordinator Gregg Williams. Vilma denied the allegations and his suspension was overturned, but he still missed the first five games of 2012 while rehabilitating his knee. His 2012 off-season procedures included one in Germany by a specialist in platelet rich plasma therapy, a relatively new blood-spinning technique also used by Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant and New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. Vilma played the final 11 games of last season, but not at his regular middle linebacker spot, which was assumed by Curtis Lofton. "The thing about JV is hes very cerebral, just like having a coach in there. He sees stuff I dont see because Im playing. He sees the whole picture," Lofton said, describing Vilmas exhaustive studies of opponents game video. "Hes just been a great player for this team for many years. Its just a tough break for him. He spent a lot of time getting his knee ready to come back." Notes: The Saints re-signed veteran CB Chris Carr, whod been released last week to make room on the roster for Vilma. ... RB Darren Sproles, who left last Sundays game in New York with concussion symptoms, practiced fully on Wednesday. ... Those missing practice were: S Malcolm Jenkins (knee), G Jahri Evans (hip), TE Jimmy Graham (elbow,foot), LB David Hawthorne (toe) and DE Cam Jordan (ankle). ... Two players were listed as limited: S Kenny Vaccaro (chest) and WR Marques Colston (knee). . Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China. . The CFL will help tackle womens cancers by playing four special "CFL PINK" games this weekend. http://www.vansoutletstore.com/.com) - Australian Open champion Li Na, former Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova and former world No. . -- Victor Bernardez tied the game with his second goal in the 95th minute and the San Jose Earthquakes drew 3-3 with Real Salt Lake on Saturday night. . But San Diego had even more trouble against right-hander Tanner Roark, who pitched a three-hitter for the first complete game of his career as the Nationals shut out the Padres 4-0. The 27-year-old set down the first 16 batters before San Diego catcher Rene Rivera, an .LONDON -- Fulham has signed midfielder Scott Parker from Premier League rival Tottenham. The 32-year-old Parker has spent the past two years at Tottenham, establishing himself as a key player for England at the 2012 European Championship. But the former Chelsea and West Ham player was troubled by injuries last season and has now moved to Fulham on a three-yeaar contract.dddddddddddd Fulham manager Martin Jol says Parker "works tirelessly for his team and is a fantastic player both on and off the ball. It is wonderful to see a player of his stature playing for Fulham." Fulham opened the season on Saturday by beating Sunderland 1-0. Financial details of the transfer were not disclosed. ' ' '