Saints' Vilma says's he'll play Sunday

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma told a TV station in New Orleans that he will come off the physically unable to perform list and will play this

New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma told a TV station in New Orleans that he will come off the physically unable to perform list and will play this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Vilma, who has been recovering from a knee injury, is one of four players who appealed their suspensions related to the "bounty" scandal.

Vilma's lawyers filed a motion in a Louisiana court Monday to vacate his one-year suspension imposed by commissioner Roger Goodell. The motion states that Vilma has been treated unfairly by Goodell.

"I'll be allowed to practice, I'll be allowed to play versus Tampa Bay," Vilma told WVUE-TV.

Vilma told the TV station that his injured left knee feels good. He was put on the PUP list during Week 2. Part of his recovery included getting platelet-rich plasma therapy in Germany.

"I know that the media hasn't seen much of me for a while, but I've actually been working out, working hard, training hard so I can get to this point to be able to give our team a chance to win in Tampa Bay," Vilma said.

Vilma, along with Anthony Hargrove, Scott Fujita and Will Smith appealed their suspensions on Friday. Hargrove had his original eight-game ban reduced to seven games and Fujita's from three games to one. However, Vilma's one-year suspension and Will Smith's four-game ban were not reduced.

Goodell had reinstated the suspensions after they were overturned by a three-person arbitration panel.

The players can continue to play while they await a decision on their appeals, which is expected to take place on Oct. 23.

-- The Sports Xchange