SAINTS BOOED BY OWN FANS IN KATRINA ANNIVERSARY GAME AT SUPERDOME

The Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints in the Superdome on Monday night, in the 114th regular-season meeting between the two teams. The game fell on the 20th anniversary of the Superdome's reopening after Hurricane Katrina, which had forced the Saints to play their entire 2005 home schedule away from New Orleans while the stadium served as a shelter and recovery base. Saints supporters booed their own team during the match, according to reports. The night was also marked by an injury to Falcons defensive end Za'Darius Smith, hurt early in the first quarter.

Smith was blocked to the ground by Saints left tackle Asim Richards, and his own teammate, defensive end Brandon Dorlus, then struck the top of Smith's head with his knee, according to one report. The injury occurred with 12:57 left in the first quarter. Medical staff called for a cart, but Smith waved it away and walked off under his own power. He was evaluated for a concussion, with one report also citing a neck injury. Smith leads the Falcons with 2.5 sacks this season.

The Falcons later ruled Smith out for the game and placed him in the NFL's concussion protocol, which requires clearance from an independent neurological consultant before he can return to practice or games. He emerged from the locker room after the final whistle smiling and wearing a belt as he celebrated the win with his teammates. The result capped a difficult night for the Saints, whose own fans booed them during the Katrina anniversary game. No timetable has been given for Smith's return.