NEW ORLEANS -- An MRI indicates that New Orleans outside linebacker Victor Butler has a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but it is too early to speculate on whether he will miss the whole season, a person familiar with the situation said Wednesday.
The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Saints have not disclosed the injury, said Butler will travel to Gulf Breeze, Fla., next week to seek a second opinion from noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. The person said there remains hope that even if Butler starts the season on injured reserve, he could return as Ray Lewis did for the defending champion Baltimore Ravens late last season.
The Times-Picayune first reported the MRI results for Butler, who went down during a non-contact practice on Tuesday after a collision with running back Mark Ingram.
The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Butler arrived in New Orleans this year, signing a two-year, $3 million free-agent contract, after spending his first four seasons in Dallas, which selected him out of Oregon State in the fourth round of the 2009 draft.
Last season, Butler played in all 16 games with one start and was credited with a career-high 24 tackles, three sacks, a tackle for a loss, three passes defended and a forced fumble. He also played on special teams, a role in which he was credited with four stops and a forced fumble.
