Saints' Dannell Ellerbe: Expected to be ready for start of camp

Ellerbe (undisclosed) said he will be 100 percent healthy for the start of training camp in late July, The Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis:

Traded from Miami to New Orleans last year, Ellerbe had 39 tackles (34 solo) in six games, after playing just one game in his final season with the Dolphins. His injury struggles forced him to accept a pay cut in the offseason, even though he could still have a three-down role if he's able to stay healthy. There's been no indication he's dealing with anything serious, but he did miss some practices during OTAs and minicamp while nursing a couple of minor issues. If healthy, Ellerbe will likely join Stephone Anthony and James Laurinaitis in the base defense, but it's unclear which player would get most of the snaps next to Anthony in nickel packages.