METAIRIE, La. -- When Heath Evans limped off the Land Shark Stadium field Sunday, it appeared the Saints had escaped a serious blow to the run game.
After all, walking off the field is a much better exit than getting carted off, which happened to defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis after his right leg was rolled up.
But on Thursday, the Saints announced that Evans will be placed in the Injured Reserve list, ending a promising season for a player that has helped the New Orleans rushing attack reach new heights.
Evans tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and was set to have surgery on Thursday. Noted surgeon Dr. James Andrew performed the surgery.
New Orleans signed Kyle Eckel to take Evans’ roster spot.
Ellis, meanwhile, only has a sprained knee and is expected to miss only a few weeks.
Losing Evans, though, will have a much bigger impact. Behind Evans, the Saints’ running game had taken off. After six games, New Orleans is No. 3 in the NFL in rushing.
“He has to date really played well for us, both in the running game and passing game,” Head Coach Sean Payton said. “You never like to lose a starter. It will be up to the rest of these guys, be it at tight end, new full back, potentially one of our halfbacks, to take on that role, but it does change what you’ve been accustomed to at this point with the starter out.”
Evans proved to be a key offseason acquisition after Payton released Mike Karney. He scored three touchdowns for New Orleans this season, but provided a good changeup out of the backfield, catching 10 passes for 70 yards.
Even more, he provided a maturity and leadership in running back meetings that will be sorely missed until he returns to New Orleans to begin rehabilitating his knee.
“Heath was such a good influence on everybody,” quarterback Drew Brees said. “You miss him for a lot of reasons. He has told me he wants to be around as much as possible.”
Added running back Mike Bell, “I know since he has been here, I’ve definitely noticed a change in my game. He brings the best out of everybody and demands the best out of everybody. It was a trickle effect. That’s why I think everybody in the group is playing so well.”
Eckel is in his fourth season in the NFL out of Navy, playing in 17 games. He saw time in 12 games for the Patriots in 2007, carrying the ball 33 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
He went to training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles in August, but they released him during the last round of cuts.
If Eckel hasn’t learned the playbook well enough by Monday night, Lynell Hamilton is an option. Hamilton played fullback his senior year at San Diego State
“I’m definitely familiar with the position,” Hamilton said. “The whole thing is getting in the playbook and learning the plays at the fullback role. I’ll be able to do it by Monday night for sure.”
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