Saints May Lose DT Sedrick Ellis And FB Heath Evans To Injury

A stroke of bad luck seems to have come down on the Saints as both full back Heath Evans and defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis left Sundays game against the Dolphins with right knee injuries.

Ellis had totaled three tackles in the game before his knee was rolled up on by a Dolphins player in the second quarter, immediately Ellis hit the turf and had to be helped off the field.

He did not return to the game nor was he visible on the sideline after being carted off the field for further evaluation.

Later in the game fullback Heath Evans was scampering towards a first down in the red zone but was mauled on the sidelined by Jason Taylor, who was also shaken up on the play.

Evans immediately hopped his way to the Saints bench while visibly in pain, he did not return to the game.

The extent of either players injury has not been revealed but both have undergone MRI’s earlier this week, further information is expected to be released by the Saints at some point today.

Payton’s hesitance to provide any news on the players conditions or the results of the MRI’s prior to now is a very ominous sign.

In the meantime it is rumored that the Saints have brought in three free agent full backs for workouts, the who and when are still a mystery.

If that’s the case it could mean Evans is in line to miss significant playing time although it is unlikely his or Ellis’ injury are season ending.

However New Orleans may opt to not sign any free agents to replace Evans and could instead look at using running back Lynell Hamilton or tight end David Thomas in his place.

Evans has been a key contributor to the Saints newly found success in the run game becoming a vicious lead blocker for the trio of Thomas, Bell and Bush — currently New Orleans ranks third in the league in total rushing at 154.5 yards per game.

Defensive end/tackle Anthony Hargrove will be Ellis’ replacement while he recovers from his knee injury, Hargrove took over against the Dolphins in the second quarter and finished with four tackles, two for loss and two sacks.

The team, at this point, has no plans to look for free agent help at DT but will use a rotation of Hargrove, Ayodele and Clancy at the position.

Barring a miracle neither player will be availible for the Saints Monday night showdown against the rival Falcons, their first division game of the season.

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