The New Orleans Saints did not expect to start their season 0-2, but here they are after field goals have them winless to begin the year. The offense has simply not looked totally on rhythm despite Drew Brees and players like Jimmy Graham putting up solid numbers. Mark Ingram has statistically been the breakout star of the Saints through two games, putting up some of his best numbers, but after an injury the Saints will now have to replace him.
Ingram is expected to miss the next month of the season after breaking his hand in the loss to the Cleveland Browns. The running back is in a contract year with New Orleans and cannot afford to miss much time, although right now he does not have much of a choice. Through two games, the running back has put up 143 yards and three touchdowns as he thrived to start the year. In his absence, Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson will take over.
Thomas and Robinson are two different types of running backs, so the Saints must decide which player fits best as the starter. Thomas was set to take on more of a Darren Sproles type of role this season, being a versatile back which was the perfect complement to Ingram's power style. A majority of his snaps have come on passing downs. Thomas has 47 yards rushing on 10 carries along with 74 yards receiving on nine catches.
"Last year, I did some of that when Sproles went down," said Thomas, per The Times-Picayune. "They knew I was capable of that. I know the system being here longer (than most). I know what I'm doing out there. They know I have (good) hands. I sold that last year, so I'm stepping up the plate. So no matter what they throw at me, I'm stepping up to that challenge."
While Thomas is the presumed starter for the Saints in wake of Ingram's injury, Robinson is going to see his role greatly increase. Through two games, he has not seen much action, but the team plans on changing that in Week 3. He has the same bruising rushing style as Ingram, something the Saints look to take advantage of and could see a lot of action when the team gets into the red zone.
