Saints rookie RB Mark Ingram's season ends, placed on IR - NFL News
The New Orleans Saints have announced the placement of rookie running back Mark Ingram on season ending injured reserve before their Wildcard playoffs game against Detroit Lions on Saturday.
Ingram has been out since Week 13 with an injured toe. The rookie running back was supposed to return for the playoffs but faced a setback during practice and will now have to undergo surgery to return back to full fitness for next season.
The rookie running back had a good first season with the Saints and performed remarkably well before the injury. Ingram drafted by the Saints from Alabama rushed for 474 yards from 122 attempts scoring five touchdowns. The running back also has eleven receptions
for 46 receiving yards.
Coach Sean Payton announced the news during his press conference on Tuesday and also placed linebacker Will Herring on the injured reserve.
When asked about the significance of Ingram’s setback during practice the Coach said
“Enough to where the setback a week ago put him behind where he would have not really had any chance to come back in the postseason. He’ll have the surgery this upcoming week and then begin the rehab.”
The Saints will now put faith in Chris Ivory for the postseason with the injury to Ingram. Ivory did not feature for the Saints until week 8 of the regular season. The running back has featured in all games that Ingram was out covering 374 rushing yards
from 79 attempts. Ivory has scored a single rushing touchdown this season and has not made a single reception.
Coach Sean Payton is satisfied with Ivory’s performance and that his team will be comfortable with the running back for the game against Detroit Lions.
“I think we kind of like the formula we’re working with right now. He’s someone that is good in protections, he’ll handle the play-action pass and a lot of the base stuff. I think we’re comfortable with the roles that we have currently.”
Ivory himself is ecstatic at the chance to play and says that he is at full fitness for the game on Saturday.
"I've always been ready to play, for me; it's always been about opportunity. Right now I'm feeling good and we're in a playoff run."
The Saints are the third seed in this year’s playoffs round as they look to return back to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. Ending the regular season with a 3-13 record and quarterback Drew Brees at peak form the Saints game against the
Lions will be one of the most exciting fixtures to start off the playoffs round on Saturday.
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