Saints, Ravens activate defensive stalwarts

• Jonathan Vilma expected to play for New Orleans on Sunday
• Terrell Suggs back from torn Achilles tendon but unclear it he'll play
• Suggs could help Ravens defense that last Ray Lewis, Lardarius Webb

What seemed all but official on Friday when Jonathan Vilma made plans for his family to travel to Tampa for Sunday's game is official.

The New Orleans Saints' linebacker has been added to the active roster after spending six weeks on the physically-unable-to-perform list. He's expected to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first of two games before an Oct. 30 hearing with former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue in regard to a suspension for his alleged role in the Saints' bounty case.

Another big name also came off the PUP list Saturday: Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs.

The 2011 NFL defensive player of the year was added to the roster to the surprise of many since he's only five months removed from surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon.

It's unclear how much Suggs will play Sunday against the Houston Texans, if at all, but his presence on the roster could give a boost to the Ravens, who lost linebacker Ray Lewis and cornerback Lardarius Webb to injury last week.

Another player added to the active roster off the PUP list Saturday was New York Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty, who had been recovering from offseason knee surgery.