Saints FB Evans will miss the rest of season after surgery

After having surgery on Thursday, the New Orleans Saints fullback Heath Evans was placed on injured reserve. And the team soon found a replacement- they signed fullback Kyle Eckel to add versatility on the field.

Evans suffered the season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear in last Sunday’s comeback victory over the Miami Dolphins after nearly scoring on 9-yard reception out of the backfield in the fourth quarter. He was forced out of bounds by Akin Ayodele, a linebacker wearing Dolphins jersey, at the 2, setting up quarterback Drew Brees’ sneak for the go-ahead score.

Eckel arrived in New Orleans Thursday and took part in the team’s practice in time. But if he is comparable to Evans to be a key blocker in the Saints’ running game, it remains unsure until Monday night when the Saints play against the Atlanta Falcons.