METAIRIE, La. — Saints cornerback Tracy Porter needed surgery on what head coach Sean Payton described as a dislocated right wrist, but it was not clear Tuesday how long the rookie starter would be out.

"He had a procedure to put it back in place," Payton said. "I don't want to speculate, but I know the procedure went well."

Porter hurt the wrist while attempting to defend a desperation heave by Minnesota's Gus Frerotte on Monday night. Bernard Berrian caught the pass for the tying touchdown as he collided with teammate Aundrae Allison, Porter and Saints safety Josh Bullocks near the goal line. The Vikings went on to win, 30-27.

Defensive backs sometimes play with soft casts after similar injuries, but Payton did not sound optimistic about Porter's chances of returning for Sunday's game against Oakland.

"It required surgery to get it back in place, which is not good," Payton said.

Porter was the Saints' second-round draft pick last spring and won the starting job in training camp. Through the first five games of the season, he's been credited with 25 tackles, including a sack, to go with one interception and five passes defended.