In or Out??

Former Ole Miss football player McKinley Boykin has been excused from New Orleans Saints training camp to attend to a personal matter, coach Sean Payton said after today’s morning practice.
Boykin, who was not selected during the two-day NFL draft in April, signed a free-agent contract with the Saints immediately after the draft.The 6-foot-2, 289 defensive tackle has missed Saturday afternoon’s workout, both practices Sunday and will not attend either practice today. Payton said Boykin is still on the team.“He had a personal issue, he came to meet with me, I excused him and I think he’ll be back tomorrow,” Payton said. “He’s still with us, yeah.”Boykin has, however, fallen behind in his attempt to make the team’s 53-man roster for the season. He’s worked out with the team in May and June mini-camps, but has not participated in training camp at Millsaps because of a right hamstring injury.Boykin rode a stationary bike during two Friday practices, but said his condition was improving.Boykin was a two-time All-SEC pick at Ole Miss, but his career was plagued with injuries. He is reunited in New Orleans with Saints defensive line coach Marion Hobby, who coached at Ole Miss for six seasons on former head coach David Cutcliffe’s staff.If Boykin makes the team, he will earn $275,000 this season and $360,000 in 2007, according to the NFL Players’ Association Web site.