Reggie Bush Injury Should Have Little Impact on New Orleans Saints' Success

New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush is expected to miss six weeks after breaking his right fibula in Monday night's win over the San Francisco 49ers.

So will Bush's injury affect the Saints' success while he is on the sidelines?

I don't believe it will.

No one can deny the athletic ability of Bush, but he isn't nearly as valuable as many other members of the Saints.

He isn't even the most valuable player at his position for the Saints.

Before getting injured in the fourth quarter on a muffed punt return, Bush had only seven carries for 18 yards on the season.

Pierre Thomas was the Saints' leading rusher last season with 793 yards on the ground, while Bush ranked third behind Mike Bell with 390 yards.

Bush is a valuable receiver out of the backfield and in the slot, as he had 47 catches last season, and nine already this season.

Even though Bush is a reliable receiver and a big play threat, he is neither the Saints' best receiver nor big play threat.

While Bush was a human highlight reel at USC, he has failed to produce the same types of big plays in the NFL. Bush has averaged just 4.0 yards per carry and 7.4 yards per reception over the course of his five-year career.

Quarterback Drew Brees still has plenty of options to throw to, as Marques Colston has 10 catches for 125 yards this season, and Thomas leads the team with 11 receptions for 72 yards.

The Saints also gave Brees another option to hand the ball to when they signed veteran running back Ladell Betts today, as the team decided to bring him back after cutting him following the preseason.

Betts is nowhere near as explosive as Bush, but he should provide a nice insurance policy behind Thomas while the former Trojan is out.

Bush is also a threat on punt returns, but he hasn't provided the Saints a return touchdown since 2008, and his longest return last year was only 23 yards in 27 chances. He returned a punt for 43 yards this season but also received his injury because he muffed a punt.

An injury to Brees or Thomas would be much more detrimental to the Saints' success this season, and while Bush will be missed, his absence won't have much effect on the New Orleans offense.

As long as the Saints defense can continue to make plays and Drew Brees stays upright, the Saints should continue to march on without Bush this season.