Report: Saints to use running back by committee approach

According to ESPN’s Britt McHenry, the New Orleans Saints are going to go to a running back by committee approach for Week 9’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Tim Hightower rushed for 102 yards on 26 carries against the Seattle Seahawks stingy run defense, and the team had 35 total rushing attempts for 123 yards. It was the sixth career 100-yard rushing game for Hightower, and two of them have come with the Saints (last year against the Jacksonville Jaguars). Entering the game, the Seahawks were fifth-best against the run.

Sunday also marked the second straight week the Saints had over 100 yards on the ground as a team, and it was the third 100-yard team rushing performance of the season. Clearly, having their full complement of offensive lineman for the duration of the game and first time since Week 2 against the New York Giants certainly helped.

As for the committee approach, it would appear that it certainly hurts Mark Ingram, who never saw action again after fumbling for the second straight week. Ingram only played in six snaps, and the Saints turned to Daniel Lasco and Tim Hightower to shoulder the load on the ground.

Drew Brees told the media in his post game press conference, “Ingram will bounce back. I have so much trust, faith, and confidence in him.”

Sean Payton also confided in Ingram by saying that he will bounce back, and is tough and thick-skinned.