Mark Ingram Injury: Updates on Saints RB's Hand and Return

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 19

The Saints confirm Mark Ingram will play in Week 7:

"

New Orleans Saints inactives:

LB Ramon Humber
LB Kyle Knox
FB Erik Lorig
DB Patrick Robinson
WR Joe Morgan
WR Nick Toon
NT Brandon Deaderick

"

Updates from Friday, Oct. 17

Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate has an update on Ingram's status for Sunday:

Updates from Wednesday, Oct. 15 

Mark Ingram gave ESPN's Mike Triplett an update on his recovery from a hand injury:

Updates from Friday, Oct. 10

NFL Around the League's Twitter feed provides an update on Ingram's recovery:

Updates from Wednesday, Oct. 8

Mike Triplett of ESPN passed along comments from Sean Payton on Mark Ingram and his chances for a return in the Saints' next game:

"

'With the fracture that he had, which is right where the thumb and the hand kind of go together, you gradually just reduce what he’s having to wear. And he’s probably, I would say three or four weeks away from not having to wear anything,” Payton said. “But right now, there’s a chance he plays in the next game.'

"

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 5

Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com confirms Mark Ingram is inactive for Week 5:

"

SAINTS INACTIVES

S Jairus Byrd
NT Brandon Deaderick
RB Mark Ingram
FB Erik Lorig
WR Joseph Morgan
LB Ronald Powell
WR Nick Toon

"

Updates from Sunday, Sept. 28

Evan Woodberry of NOLA.com confirmed that Mark Ingram is out for Week 4:

Updates from Sunday, Sept. 21

The Saints confirm Mark Ingram is on the team's inactive list for Week 3:

New Orleans Saints inactives:

RB Mark Ingram
LB David Hawthorne
S Marcus Ball
FB Erik Lorig
DB Stanley Jean-Baptiste
WR Nick Toon
DL John Jenkins

Updates from Friday, Sept. 19

Ramon Antonio Vargas of The Advocate has the latest on Ingram's status:

Updates from Wednesday, Sept. 17 

The New Orleans Saints provide an update on Mark Ingram's injury from head coach Sean Payton:

Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com added more information:

Original Text

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram suffered a hand injury in the team's Week 2 loss against the Cleveland Browns and will reportedly miss considerable time.  

Adam Schefter of ESPN broke the news Monday:

Schefter later clarified the nature of the hand injury:

Ramon Antonio Vargas of The Advocate provided comments from head coach Sean Payton on Ingram's status:

Ingram is a former Heisman Trophy-winning running back from Alabama who was taken in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. He offered scarce production through his first three seasons with the Saints, but he has been consistent thus far in 2014.

Ingram has 24 carries for 143 yards and three touchdowns through two games. While the team is currently 0-2 on the season, Ingram has been a revelation in the running game.

Luckily, the Saints still have depth at the position with Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson in the fold. Adam Pfeifer of Project Roto notes the New Orleans ball-carriers' respective snap counts from the Week 2 loss to Cleveland:

In terms of fantasy, Ty Miller of Dynasty League Football believes Ingram's injury will send Robinson's stock skyrocketing:

"

And Khiry Robinson's stock goes... pic.twitter.com/QXZK0sHRu8

— Ty Miller (@Ty_In_StL) September 15, 2014"

The Saints are already suffering through a tough start to the season, and Ingram's injury doesn't help the situation. Luckily, the team heads home this weekend against a Minnesota Vikings team that felt the mighty wrath of Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots in Week 2.

Matchups with the Dallas Cowboys on the road and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home in Weeks 4 and 5, respectively, should give the Saints a chance to string together a few wins even with Ingram sidelined. New Orleans' bye comes in Week 6, giving the Alabama product an extra week to recover, too. 

Come mid-October, though, Ingram will be crucial for the Saints in games against the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers, assuming he's healthy enough to return.

Follow @RCorySmith on Twitter.