Mark Ingram Injury: Updates on Saints RB's Shoulder and Recovery

The New Orleans Saints have placed running back Mark Ingram on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Continue for updates.

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Ingram Tweets Following Surgery

Friday, Dec. 11

Joel A. Erickson of the Advocate reported Thursday that Dr. James Andrews would perform the surgery and that "[Ingram] will spend his offseason rehabbing it."

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Saints Announce Roster Transaction to Replace Ingram

Wednesday, Dec. 9

The Saints signed fullback Austin Johnson from the practice squad to take Ingram's roster spot, according to Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com.

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Ingram Injury a Major Setback for Saints Offense

When healthy, the 25-year-old is a productive running back. He appeared in 13 games last year, running for 964 yards and nine touchdowns on 226 carries. The problem for Ingram is staying on the field. Between 2011 and 2014, he missed 14 games.

The running game isn't a focal point of the Saints offense, but it's important for New Orleans to establish a strong presence on the ground to deflect the defense's attention away from quarterback Drew Brees and the rest of the passing game.

Plus, the porous nature of the defense means the offense must work that much harder to keep the Saints in games.

Without Ingram, that task becomes more difficult.

His injury also compounds New Orleans' health issues at the position, with Khiry Robinson out for the rest of the year after breaking his leg. C.J. Spiller will likely finish the season as the starting running back for New Orleans.