ESPN NFC South blogger Pat Yasinskas considers Saints SS Roman Harper a candidate for release.

Coming off a terrible season for a defense that could be plausibly be called the worst of all time, Harper is due a steep $5.35 million between salary and bonuses. Now on the wrong side of 30, Harper will at the very least be asked to take a sizable pay cut.

NFL.com's Jason La Canfora reports SS Roman Harper and DE Will Smith "featured prominently" in the league's investigation of the Saints' bounty program.

According to La Canfora, Harper and Smith were "probed in depth," and could face more severe punishment than the "majority" of the 22-27 players the league believes were involved. If that's the case, they'll be joining MLB Jonathan Vilma, who is reportedly bracing for a 2-8 game suspension. The punishments for all involved could be announced within the week.

The Saints' 2010-2011 "bounty" program under ex-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams is being characterized by the NFL as a "pay for performance" plan that awarded defenders $1,500 for "knockouts" and $1,000 for offensive players the opposing team was forced to cart off the field.

The Saints would often target a particular player, which reminds of Williams' comments to inflict "remember-me shots" on Brett Favre and Peyton Manning in 2010. Players "regularly" put money into a cash pool and received payments when they successfully injured opponents. New Orleans is already without a 2012 first-round pick, so the NFL could begin taking away additional draft choices this year and a first-rounder in 2013. Expect discipline to be harsh. It will be discussed further at the league's meetings in March.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Saints are in danger of NFL discipline after maintaining a "bounty program" to take opposing offensive players out of games under former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

Per Schefter, the NFL's investigation began in 2010, when Williams' defense began targeting Brett Favre and Kurt Warner. Between 22 and 27 Saints defenders were allegedly involved, as well as at least one defensive assistant. The league has reportedly reviewed 18,000 documents totaling more than 50,000 pages. New Orleans' discipline may lead to fines, suspensions, and draft-pick forfeiture. Williams is now defensive coordinator for the Rams.

Saints SS Roman Harper (ankle) is listed as probable for the Divisional round.

The Saints got a mid-week scare when reports claimed Harper's ankle injury was "significant" and he missed Wednesday's practice, but the run-stuffing safety returned to work on Thursday and Friday. Look for Harper to play most of his snaps in the box at San Francisco, working to stop Frank Gore.

Saints SS Roman Harper told reporters that he plans to play through his "significant" ankle injury in the Divisional round.

Harper didn't practice Wednesday, but did do individual drills. "I'm resting up, getting a little bit better, getting healthier every day," he said. "So I feel good about this weekend. ... I'm moving around well." Harper essentially guaranteed he'll play against San Francisco, so look for him to start.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that Saints SS Roman Harper is dealing with a "significant" ankle injury.

It sounds like a possible high ankle sprain. Harper must have suffered the injury late in last Saturday's win over the Lions. It's "a new one," reports beat writer Jeff Duncan, "and it's significant." Harper is one of the league's better in-the-box, run-support safeties, so his absence would be major against San Francisco's run-first offense in the Divisional round.

Roman Harper was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season after stuffing the stat sheet against the Falcons.

Harper won the same honor for his performance against the Bears in Week 2. After coaches film review, Harper was credited with 16 tackles, two altered passes, one sack, one pass defensed, and two tackles for losses in the Saints' 26-23 victory at Atlanta.

Saints SS Roman Harper (ankle, questionable) will play Sunday in Week 2 against the according to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora.

Teammate Tracy Porter (calf, questionable) is less likely to play. The Bears will take to the air today against the banged up Saints secondary, so expect this one to turn into a track meet. Jay Cutler comes in as our No. 10 ranked quarterback play.

Saints SS Roman Harper was diagnosed with a small fracture in his pinkie finger after leaving Thursday's practice.

Harper's status is up in the air for Sunday's game in Oakland, but it's an injury that he can play through in the regular season.

Saints re-signed SS Roman Harper to a four-year, $28.5 million contract.

Unwilling to give New Orleans a hometown discount, Harper lands $16 million in guarantees. A premier in-the-box safety, Harper, tallied 98 tackles, three sacks, an interception, and a career-high six forced fumbles last season. We're willing to give him a pass for his brutal performance in the playoff loss to the Seahawks because he was forced into coverage too often with Malcolm Jenkins sidelined. The Saints will return one of the best safety tandems in the NFL.

Free agent SS Roman Harper told Pro Football Weekly that he is not willing to give the Saints a hometown discount to re-sign him.

"I can't do that," he said. "That would be unfair to myself. ... Everything has to match up for me to come back." The Saints lack exciting safety options behind Malcolm Jenkins, especially with Usama Young also headed for free agency. Harper previously said he was "90 percent sure" he's re-sign with the Saints.

Roman Harper is not ruling out fielding offers from other teams once free agency begins, but he plans to give the Saints the first opportunity to reach an agreement.

"I plan on (being in New Orleans), but you never know how this crazy business will work," said Harper, who noted the sides had "great" talks before the lockout began in March. Harper set his odds of re-signing with the Saints at 90 percent back in May.

Free agent SS Roman Harper is participating in Saints player-organized workouts and says he's "90 percent" sure he'll be back in New Orleans.

"I'm not really too worried about it," Harper said. "I know everything will be handled when it needs to be." Harper is taking a different path than fellow Saints free agent Lance Moore, who deemed offseason workouts "too risky" for him to participate. Harper, 28, finished the 2010 season with 98 tackles, three sacks, an interception, and a career-high six forced fumbles.

Saints DC Gregg Williams defended SS Roman Harper after the impending free agent was torched in the playoffs by Matt Hasselbeck.

Williams explained that Harper got more game balls throughout the season than any other Saints defender. Harper finished the regular season with 98 tackles and was in on eight turnovers, including a whopping six forced fumbles. It wasn't his fault the Saints needed him in coverage more with Malcolm Jenkins out against the Seahawks. Harper is an in-the-box safety.

Despite his miserable performance in the playoffs, the New Orleans Times-Picayune is "certain" that the Saints want to re-sign free agent SS Roman Harper.

Harper had a career-best regular season. The miserable playoff game was mostly the result of FS Malcolm Jenkins' absence; the Saints usually don't use Harper to cover as much as they did against the Seahawks. Still, New Orleans shouldn't break the bank for such a coverage-deficient defensive back.

Saints SS Roman Harper (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Pierson Prioleau gets the start. Harper's injury is not considered serious, but there's no reason to press it with the Panthers' anemic passing attack in town.

Restricted free agent SS Roman Harper reportedly agreed to sign his one-year, $2.521 million tender before Monday night's deadline.

Harper is expected to put pen to paper on Tuesday, making it official. Like fellow RFA Pierre Thomas, Harper will play out the season at a bargain rate unless he can wrangle a long-term deal out of the Saints.

Saints unsigned restricted free agent SS Roman Harper wants a long-term deal, but is working out in OTA sessions without stirring up any trouble.

The two sides aren't close to a deal, according to ESPN's Len Pasquarelli. Once Harper signs his one-year tender, he'll be a bargain at $2.521 million. It looks like Harper is behind Pierre Thomas and Drew Brees in the line to get more money from the Saints.