One week after leaving the field on a stretcher, following last week’s head first collision with Buccaneers receiver Mike Williams, Saints cornerback Tracy Porter was back on the field.  Porter had 6 tackles, 5 of them solo tackles, in Sunday’s overtime win over the Falcons.

It seemed improbably last week, when Porter lay on the field for more than 10 minutes before being taken away.

“I mean, of course when they say they’re gonna grab a stretcher to take you off the field, you’re always scared and you’re planning for the worst,” Porter told the newspaper.  “Once I started to move my limbs, that was a sense of relief right there.”

“I’m thankful and I’m blessed that it wasn’t more serious than it was.”

Now that Porter is fine, his amazing recovery has become a source of humor with coaches and teammates.  He didn’t even stay the night in the hospital after being carried off the field.

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams has taken to calling him “Lazurus,” and kiddingly accused him of grandstanding for effect.

“We were teasing him about the bow he felt like he needed to take when he finally made contact with somebody,” said Williams, who admitted he was very worried when it happened.

“It wouldn’t be Gregg if he couldn’t get his two cents in,” Porter said.

“But I know it’s all fun and games. He’s very happy that it wasn’t worse than what it was. But of course we’re gonna make jokes about it once you find out you’re OK.”