Sports

Spagnuolo: Our ‘D’ let Saints down

Steve Spagnuolo wanted to make it clear he was sorely disappointed with his debut as Saints defensive coordinator, and that his unit recognizes the urgency to improve.

And quickly — it lines up across from Cam Newton at Carolina tomorrow.

“We all to a man on defense feel like we let the football team down,” Spagnuolo said Friday, his first meeting with reporters since last Sunday’s 40-32 loss to Washington. “You score 32 points, you should win the football game, so we all feel that.”

Spagnuolo added he felt he personally let down Saints owner Tom Benson, as well as suspended head coach Sean Payton and suspended assistant head coach Joe Vitt.

“Hopefully with a strong week of practice and some prideful men, which I do believe we have, we can get it straightened out,” he said.

REDSKINS: Receiver Pierre Garcon remains hobbled with a sore right foot and will be a game-time decision against the Rams.

Garcon was limited in practice all week and is listed as questionable. He was hurt in last week’s win over the Saints, when he also had an 88-yard reception for Robert Griffin III’s first career touchdown pass.

Coach Mike Shanahan said if Garcon “can go live with the pain, and he feels like he can go full speed, then you let him go.”

Aldrick Robinson likely would start if Garcon can’t play.

DOLPHINS: Running back Daniel Thomas has been ruled out of tomorrow’s game against the Raiders because of a concussion, leaving the team with little experience behind starter Reggie Bush. Rookie Lamar Miller likely will be active for the first time.

BENGALS: Cincinnati suffered a major blow to its defense when linebacker Thomas Howard was placed on injured reserve after tearing his ACL during practice on Thursday. Howard led the Bengals last season with 120 stops, and had four tackles, including a sack, and a pass defended in the Bengals’ Week 1 loss to the Ravens.

COLTS:Coach Chuck Pagano said outside linebacker Dwight Freeney (left ankle) will not play tomorrow against the Vikings, and receiver Austin Collie (concussion) is doubtful.

PANTHERS: Coach Ron Rivera said he expects receiver Steve Smith and running back Jonathan Stewart will play tomorrow against the Saints, though both are listed as questionable on Carolina’s injury report.

CHARGERS: San Diego plans to retire Junior Seau’s No. 55 before playing host to the Titans tomorrow. Seau, the hard-hitting, fist-pumping emotional leader of the Chargers for 13 of his 20 NFL seasons, committed suicide on May 2.