The following Saints players are not expected to play in this evening’s contest against the Texans:  LB Mark Simoneau (back), WR Adrian Arrington (toe), TE Jeremy Shockey (leg), CB Mike McKenzie (knee), S Josh Bullocks (knee)  and DT Hollis Thomas (triceps).

22: Number of days the Saints have until the start of the 2008 regular season. The Saints host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 7, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. CT.

Martín Gramatica put the Saints ahead 3-0 with a 25-yard field goal.

A 26-yard touchdown pass from Matt Schaub to Kevin Walter gave Houston a 7-3 lead.

Gramatica booted a 33-yard FG to cut the lead to 7-6.

Schaub threw a 1-yard TD pass to FB Vonta Leach to make it 14-6 in favor of the Texans early in the 2nd quarter.

Drew Brees threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Reggie Bush, making the score 14-13.

Houston's Kris Brown kicked a 35-yard field goal to push the lead to 17-13.

Marques Colston caught a 5-yard TD toss from Brees to give the Saints the lead at 20-17 in the last minute of the 1st half.

The Texans regained the lead at 24-20 on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by RB Chris Taylor.

Mark Brunell hit FB Kevin Dudley with a 1-yard TD pass, giving the Saints a 27-24 lead.

Houston RB Steve Slaton scored on a 10-yard touchdown run to make the score 31-27 Texans.