METAIRIE (AP) — The New Orleans Saints released veteran defensive tackle Brian Young, who played only half of last season because of problems with his left knee that lingered into the current offseason.Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said Tuesday the decision was very difficult. He calls Young “one of the hardest working individuals I have ever met.”The nine-year veteran played the past five seasons for New Orleans after spending his first four seasons in St. Louis. He appeared in eight games in 2008, with 13 tackles, including one sack.In 2006, the last season the Saints went to the playoffs, Young started all 16 regular season games, finishing with 46 tackles, including 5.5 sacks.Young, 31, had minor arthroscopic surgery to address swelling in his left knee at the midpoint of the 2007 season. As he was trying to come back from that, he came down with pneumonia and was placed on injured reserve. Still, the Saints re-signed him to a three-year free-agent deal after that season.Last season, recurring trouble with his left knee caused him to finish out a second straight season on injured reserve and head coach Sean Payton said during the NFL draft on Sunday that Young had another surgical procedure on the knee three weeks ago.Loomis said the Saints will miss Young’s passion for the game.”He has been a key contributor to our defense for a number of years and has also brought a lot to our organization as a high-character individual,” Loomis said. “He has not received as much recognition and credit as he deserves for what he has brought to our team and this community. He will always be welcome in our building.”—-Contact The Daily Reveille’s sports staff at [email protected]