NEW ORLEANS (AP) – The New Orleans Saints, still looking for a backup running back in the last week of training camp, brought in former No. 1 draft pick Ki-Jana Carter on Monday.

Carter, drafted first by Cincinnati in 1995 after three impressive seasons at Penn State, was on the field for Monday’s only practice and ran several plays with the offense.

Carter was cut by the Packers last year when Green Bay made its mandatory cuts to reach the roster limit of 65. Carter never challenged for the Packers’ backup tailback job behind starter Ahman Green, as Rondell Mealey won the job.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in this situation,” Carter said. “Last year, things didn’t work out for me in Green Bay. And during the season, I was just biting my nails hoping I would get another shot.”

On Monday, Carter had several chances to run the ball and Saints coach Jim Haslett said the running back’s first impression was a good one.

Carter’s career has been marred by injuries. He spent his entire rookie season with the Bengals on the injured list after tearing a knee ligament in the preseason.

Carter missed the 1995 and 2000 seasons with injuries, and played in just one game in 1998 and three in 1999 before Cincinnati gave up on him. He served as a backup in Washington in 2001.

In his seven-year career, Carter started just 14 of a possible 112 games.

, carrying 290 times for 1,055 yards and 19 touchdowns.

“I know that on paper everybody’s going, “Wow, this guy’s been through a lot,”‘ Carter said. “But I think the body and the mind is a lot stronger than a lot of people give themselves credit for and I’m a strong-minded person. I know I’ve had some setbacks, but my mind and my spirit, my will and my strength is still there.”

Carter spent his year off working out and looking for a new team.

Monday he worked with running back coach Dave Atkins for almost an hour after practice. He planned to spend a good part of Monday night with Atkins working on the Saints playbook.

“It shouldn’t take him that long,” Haslett said. “Hopefully we can get him up to speed and give him some carries this week.”

Carter will have only five practices before the Saints break camp. New Orleans visits San Francisco for their third preseason game Saturday night.

“I’m out here trying to make the team,” Carter said. “They signed me to a piece of paper, but I’m trying to make the roster. I’m not just going to try to be out here for just two weeks.”

AP-ES-08-18-03 2002EDT