DB Young has sports hernia surgery

What do Jeremy Shockey, Jammal Brown, Will Smith, Jonathan Vilma, Jabari Greer, and now Usama Young have in common?

All have suffered a sports hernia and had surgery because of it.

Defensive back Usama Young, hopping between free safety/cornerback all season long in a valuable, versatile role for the Saints, is the latest. The Saints have not yet placed him on injured reserve, with the hopes of a healthy return in time for a late playoff run.

Like Greer, however, there is a definite chance that Young just won't be the same until next season.

Young, moved from cornerback to free safety in the 2009 offseason, has nevertheless played cornerback for a defense where cornerbacks have been atomized by injuries. Only one cornerback on the Saints starting 53-man roster has survived the season unscathed so far: CB Malcolm Jenkins, who has been forced into a starting role and victimized more than once.