Saints expect Alex Anzalone to be healthy for Week 1 vs. Texans

He and Craig Robertson missed multiple preseason games due to unspecified injuries.

NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints will have a starting linebacker back on the field for Week 1.

The Saints expect Alex Anzalone to be healthy for the Monday night opener against the Houston Texans, coach Sean Payton said Monday.

Anzalone played in the first preseason game but did not practice or play in another exhibition game after that. He has been seen doing running drills on a side field before and after some training camp practices.

"We feel like Alex is going to be healthy for the start of the season," Payton said.

Criag Roberton, a top backup linebacker, will be evaluated daily as he continues to work his way back from an unspecified injury. He left the second preseason game with an unspecified injury and has not practiced since. 

"We'll discuss day to day and see where he's at," Payton said about Robertson.

The coach said a trade Sunday for linebacker Kiko Alonso had more to do with adding an experienced linebacker than it did regarding depth or injuries to the two linebackers. 

"It was more about his availability and the compensation and us looking at that position group and trying to help our football team," Payton said.

The Saints and Dolphins swapped linebackers Sunday, with third-year pro Vince Biegel going to Miami.