The New Orleans Saints have certainly not been playing their typical football this season as the team sits at 4-8 on the year. Things are getting worse before they get better as injuries are hitting the roster hard. With just a handful of games left in the year, the Saints will now be forced to get by without their leading rusher as Mark Ingram hits injured reserve.
According to ESPN.com confirmed by the Saints, Ingram has been placed on injured reserve for a shoulder injury which has officially ended his year. The running back played a full game against the Carolina Panthers, so it is unclear exactly when the injury took place. He was limited with a shoulder problem last week, but it did not appear to hinder him at the time. Quarterback Drew Brees made it clear that losing Ingram for the season was a huge hit to the offense.
"I really feel like over the last two years, especially, he's really come into his own, where I would consider him one of the top backs in the league, all-purpose, can do everything," Brees said, via ESPN.com. "And a great guy to be around too. I don't know if there's a guy that's more well-liked in our locker room."
Without Brees, the running back rotation is in the hands of CJ Spiller and Tim Hightower. Spiller signed as a free agent in the offseason and has not produced like the Saints wanted him to. This opportunity gives Spiller the chance to prove he really is the versatile threat the Saints wanted back in March. In the game against the Panthers, he placed on just five snaps as Ingram kept the momentum going. For now he is the assumed started without Ingram in the lineup, but Spiller admitted he is not sure what his role will be.
"I haven't really ever had those conversations with the coaches or anything. I think my skill set speaks for itself," Spiller said, via ESPN.com. "Obviously they're always looking for guys to perform when you call upon them, and that's the mindset I have. Yeah, I think I have the speed, I think you can probably look at the Dallas game. I have the cutting ability, you can probably go to the Giants game. So I feel great. But I'm always trying to get faster."
Hightower is also expected to see time in the offense as he is similar to what kind of running back Ingram is. The running back has just 48 yards on the season. There is certainly a chance the Saints look to free agency as players like Montee Ball and Trent Richardson remain available. However, with just a handful of games and the playoffs not in sight, the chances that happens are slim to none as the Saints have no use for the addition.
