New Orleans Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem underwent surgery last week to repair ligament damage to the second toe on his left foot, Brian Allee-Walsh of NewOrleans.com reports.

"It’s good that we caught it now," Payton said. "It began bothering him again and became aggravated the more he started running on it. So we just felt let’s go ahead and get it fixed now.

"It’s going to set him back. Our goal is to get him back in time for the start of training camp (July 29), the first week or so."

Chosen with the 27th overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft, Meachem was inactive for his entire rookie season before catching 12 passes for 289 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2008. Last season was a breakout season for Meachem, who started seven games and set career-highs with 45 receptions, 722 yards and 9 touchdowns. The 6-2, 210-pounder from the University of Tennessee also carried the ball six times for 82 yards during the regular season, but added four receptions for 25 yards during the post-season.

Meachem caught two passes for 6 yards in the Saints' 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

Meachem will miss the remainder of the Saints' off-season workout program, which includes 12 voluntary OTA sessions and a mandatory three-day mini-camp between May 25 and June 17.