Mark Ingram Injury: Updates on Saints Star's Shoulder and Return

Updates from Sunday, Nov. 9

Lyons Yellin of wwltv.com confirms Mark Ingram is active for Week 10:

Original Text

New Orleans Saints running backs have been snakebitten for much of the 2014 NFL season, and that trend continued with Mark Ingram suffering from a shoulder injury.

NOLA.com's Evan Woodbery had the report on Thursday:

The Saints confirmed on Friday that Ingram would be questionable for Sunday's game:

Ingram has already missed time this season with a broken thumb. Pierre Thomas injured his shoulder in October and missed a few games as well. Despite all the medical maladies, the Saints have still produced a consistent running game to complement Drew Brees and the passing game.

For Ingram, this is another bump in the road during a career in which he's failed to make good on his potential coming out of Alabama.

Part of that is down to his inability to stay healthy. He missed 13 games in his first three years.

The former Heisman Trophy winner and first-round draft pick has never rushed for 1,000 yards in a season. His career high for rushing yards in a season is 602, which is not coincidentally the only season (2012) where he's played in every game since entering the league.

Of course, it would be hard for any running back to see much of the ball with Brees under center.

The Saints are first and foremost a passing team, and with Thomas being the best receiving option the backfield, Ingram gets pushed to the periphery a bit.

David Richard/Associated Press

Having a steady running presence does take some pressure off Brees and the passing game, though, as opposing defenses can't line up six defensive backs on every play.

With that said, Ingram's injury is unlikely to have a demonstrably negative effect on the Saints. His absence will lessen some of New Orleans' depth at the position, but that shouldn't exacerbate what's already been a frustrating 4-4 season.

The injury could potentially be big for Ingram's financial future. Spotrac indicates he's an unrestricted free agent after the season, and teams are unlikely to be willing to make a major commitment to a player who's played a full campaign just once in his career.

"It's motivation," the 24-year-old told Christopher Dabe of The Times-Picayune of his impending free agency. "I'm coming up on a contract year. I'm an unrestricted free agent after this year, so we'll see what happens."

With New Orleans vying for playoff contention in the NFC South, both Ingram and his team will be hopeful of a quick return.