Even as the NFL continued to assess and evaluate the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, and the possible ramifications to playing in the damaged Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans Saints officials began exploring potential alternate sites for practices and perhaps even games. Saints director of operations James Nagaoka was in contact with officials from other cities, most notably San Antonio, about moving practices as early as next week. The team is currently practicing in San Jose, Calif., in advance of Thursday night's preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, and the preference is to return to a city in the South or the Southwest to begin preparations for the Sept. 11 regular-season opener. Mike Abington, director of the Alamodome in San Antonio, confirmed the Saints have spoken to city officials. Nagaoka inquired about the availability of the San Antonio School District Spring Sports Complex, a site that could be under consideration for team practices. The Saints practiced at the site last September, when they were forced to leave New Orleans in advance of Hurricane Ivan. It is believed that Nagaoka also contacted officials from other cities in the southwest. One league owner said he believed the Saints had begun "at least preliminary" talks about an alternative playing site, with the Alamodome topping the list. The owner said that he had heard Houston was a possible alternative practice site. Reliant Park could be used for the Saints' home opener if the Louisiana Superdome isn't available, stadium president and general manager Shea Guinn said Tuesday.

Hurricane Katrina ripped away part of the roof on the Louisiana Superdome as thousands of storm refugees huddled inside Monday. Strips of metal were peeled away, creating two holes that were visible from the floor of the huge arena. Water dripped in and people were moved away from about five sections of seats directly below. Others watched as sheets of metal flapped visibly and noisily. From the floor, more than 19 stories below the dome, the openings appeared to be 6 feet long. "The superdome is not in any dangerous situation," Gov. Kathleen Blanco said.

New Orleans' tight end Boo Williams tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee during the Saints 21-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last night. Due to the extent of the injury, Williams will be forced to sit out the entire 2005 season. "Without a doubt, he's taking it hard," said wide receiver Joe Horn, who went with Williams into the locker room to console him, along with quarterback Aaron Brooks. "Not to mention the fact that he was going with the fourth group, and in his heart his skills were definitely higher, above that. But things happen for a reason."

The New Orleans Saints may have lost offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb for the season after he injured his right knee in practice on Tuesday afternoon. "He was in a goal line situation and he just twisted it. It's bad," coach Jim Haslett said. "I feel sorry for him because he had put in a lot of hard work," Haslett said. "It's a shame that something like this had to happen because he was ready to break through."