Cornerback Jabari Greer is in Philadelphia having surgery to repair a groin injury, Saints interim coach Joe Vitt said after Thursday’s practice.

Greer, who started every game last season and has been a standout since arriving from the Buffalo Bills as a free agent in 2009, is expected to recover by the end of the Saints’ exhibition schedule. 

“We’ve been through the procedure before,” Vitt said. “Really, we’re looking potentially, he’s going to start working some during the Texans week (the third game of the preseason), and he’ll definitely be ready for the regular season. Some guys are quicker than others. That’s where he is.”

Greer had similar surgery in early December of 2009, New Orleans’ Super Bowl-winning season, and returned for the playoffs.

“I think our staff does a great job with that,” Vitt said. “We’ve had a number of our players go through the procedure and have come back really full speed.”

Dr. William Meyers is performing the surgery. He performed the same operation on former Saints tight end Jeremy Shockey in 2008, and Shockey missed three games.

The Saints are practicing without both starting cornerbacks. Patrick Robinson missed his third consecutive day with a shoulder injury. Greer stretched out at the beginning of Tuesday’s practice before leaving the field.  

Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on twitter @CBSSportsNFLNO