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NEW ORLEANS – He was announced as a starter in the pregame, and cornerback Mike McKenzie, who just re-signed with the Saints last week, was in the lineup on the first defensive play.

The Saints opened with three cornerbacks (Randall Gay and Malcolm Jenkins were the other two) and I think we’re going to see lots of McKenzie tonight with Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter out with injuries.

Although McKenzie hasn’t played in coordinator Gregg Williams’ system before tonight, he was a starter for the Saints before injuries prompted the team to let him go after last season. The Saints also recently signed veteran cornerback Chris McAlister.

Time for Wednesday’s quick trip through the most significant injuries in the NFC South.

Tampa Bay receiver Antonio Bryant (knee) participated in practice on a limited basis. But coach Raheem Morris sounded encouraged by the fact that Bryant was participating at all.

New Orleans starting cornerbacks Jabari Greer (groin) and Tracy Porter (knee) both sat out practice. The signing of veteran Chris McAlister on Tuesday is a pretty strong suggestion that Greer and Porter could miss Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay.

Atlanta running back Michael Turner (ankle) didn’t practice, but he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he hasn’t ruled himself out for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. If you’ve got Turner on your fantasy team, don’t get too encouraged by his outlook. Players always want to play, but the reality is there’s a good chance Turner’s ankle won’t be ready this week.

Since they play Thursday against Miami, the Panthers had to put out an injury report with status outlooks Wednesday. Defensive end Charles Johnson, fullback Brad Hoover and safety Charles Godfrey are doubtful. Running back DeAngelo Williams is listed as questionable. But, then again, Williams was listed as questionable last week and still played.

The New Orleans Saints, apparently concerned that injuries to starting cornerbacks Tracy Porter and Jabari Greer could linger, brought in some insurance Tuesday night.

ESPN’s John Clayton reports the Saints have signed veteran cornerback Chris McAlister.

Porter has a sprained MCL and could miss several weeks and Greer missed Sunday’s game against St. Louis. The Saints have decent depth at cornerback with veteran Randall Gay and rookie Malcolm Jenkins.

But McAlister, a 10-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowler, could step right into the mix as one of the top three corners with Gay and Jenkins if Greer and Porter remain out. McAlister, 32, has been out of the league since the Ravens released him in February.

The undefeated Saints already have had good luck in bringing in one veteran defensive back. They signed safety Darren Sharper, 33, as a free agent and he’s been an instant leader and one of the league’s most productive defensive players.