National Football League

Sore knee keeps Shockey out of Saints practice

Published Jan. 22, 2010 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

New Orleans Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey missed practice Friday with a sore right knee.

Shockey also did not participate in team drills the previous two days and couldn't make Friday's final full workout before Sunday's NFC championship game against Minnesota.

The eight-year veteran from Miami had three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown in last week's victory over Arizona, but hurt the knee on the 17-yard TD reception. During the season, he had 48 receptions for 569 yards and three scores.

David Thomas, the other tight end who sees significant action for the Saints, caught 35 passes this season, but none against the Cardinals last week.

Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins (hamstring) did not practice either, and linebacker Anthony Waters was excused so he could attend the funeral of Gaines Adams in South Carolina.

All-Pro safety Darren Sharper and wide receiver Robert Meachem did practice. Coach Sean Payton was confident Meachem, one of the team's primary deep threats, will go on Sunday after recovering from an ankle sprain.