Saints' Taysom Hill Diagnosed with Fractured Ribs After Suffering Injury vs. Falcons

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill suffered fractured ribs during Sunday's Week 4 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, head coach Dennis Allen told reporters on Thursday.

Allen previously said Hill's rib injury was on the opposite side of the chest injury, reportedly identified as a bruised lung, that sidelined Hill for Week 3.

The Saints head coach did not specify the extent or number of the fractures, per ESPN's Katherine Terrell.

When asked if Hill could land on the injured reserve, Allen answered, "I don't know that."

Hill left this weekend's loss to the Falcons in the second quarter. He had made six carries for 24 yards and two touchdowns prior to the injury.

Having only been able to complete one game this season amid his injuries, Hill has made 14 total carries for 77 yards in three appearances.

The running back suffered his first injury of the season during the Saints' Week 2 road win over the host Dallas Cowboys.

Hill was sent to a hospital for imaging of the chest injury, which was identified by Fox Sports' Jay Glazer as a bruised lung that had caused "some difficulty breathing" and sidelined him for the team's Week 3 loss to the visiting Philadelphia Eagles.

When Hill did not return during Sunday's second half against the Falcons, the Saints relied heavily on Alvin Kamara, who was playing through broken ribs of his own.

Kamara went on to make 19 carries for 77 yards and a last-minute touchdown, while adding seven catches for 42 receiving yards.

Wide receiver Chris Olave also played against the Falcons despite being limited the week prior with a hamstring injury, only to lead Saints receivers with 87 receiving yards on eight catches.

The potential loss of Hill for a Week 5 contest against the Kansas City Chiefs could put even more pressure on the Saints' injured and recovering players to lead the team's offense, and Allen noted after the loss to the Falcons that the Saints would need "to have some other guys that can step up and make some plays other than just Alvin" going forward (h/t Terrell.)

That could potentially set up rookie tight end Dallin Holker to make his NFL debut on the road this Monday as the Saints look to avoid a 2-3 season start.