Heath Evans to IR, Kyle Eckle Signed
 

New Orleans Saints fulback Heath Evans undergoes season-ending knee surgery; replaced on roster by veteran Kyle Eckel

New Orleans Saints fullback Heath Evans has been placed on injured reserve and replaced on the 53-man roster by former New England Patriots fullback Kyle Eckel, Coach Sean Payton said Thursday.

Evans suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will be lost for the season. Dr. James Andrews performed surgery Thursday on Evans.

"We're losing a starter who has really played well these first six games,'' Payton said.

Also, Saints defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis suffered a sprained right knee and his status for Monday night's game against the Atlanta Falcons will be updated through the week.

Eckel, 27, was a former teammate of Evans' in New England, where he saw his most extensive playing time in 2007, appearing in 12 games. The 5-11, 237-pounder also appeared in five games with the Philadelphia Eagles last year but was released on the final cut-down day this September.

Eckel began his career as an undrafted free agent out of Navy in 2005, but he bounced around from New England to Miami and back to New England before making his NFL debut in '07. He has 57 carries for 169 yards and two touchdowns in his career.

Evans injured his right knee with 9:06 remaining in Sunday's 46-34 come-from-behind victory against the Miami Dolphins at Land Shark Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Evans had 15 touches 86 yards and scored three touchdowns.


New Orleans Saints fulback Heath Evans undergoes season-ending knee surgery; replaced on roster by veteran Kyle Eckel | New Orleans Saints Central - - NOLA.com

Re: Heath Evans to IR, Kyle Eckle Signed
 

DAMNIT!!!!!! Big loss, don't care how high powered or deep we are. Dude made plays like a RB, he could catch, and could block like a train.

Re: Heath Evans to IR, Kyle Eckle Signed
 

Navy boy

Re: Heath Evans to IR, Kyle Eckle Signed
 

Damn it ... Heath had all but made us forget about Karney, the FB screen was becoming a nice little wrinkle in the offense. Time for Eckel to fill the void and help this team finish their ultimate goal

Re: Heath Evans to IR, Kyle Eckle Signed
 

Good pickup, another ex-Patriot. Evans knows him and can help him learn the offense.

But I will miss "Tigger" Evans bouncing into the endzone.

Re: Heath Evans to IR, Kyle Eckle Signed
 

The offense has survived injuries to Moore, PT, and Bell...time to see if they can step up again. I have faith that they will...but man, this one still hurts.

Look at this picture of Brees and Evans from late in the 4th quarter...it tells the whole story, IMO:

http://static.nfl.com/static/content...allery_600.jpg

Re: Heath Evans to IR, Kyle Eckle Signed
 

Sitting at home watching cartoons are something gets a phone call. Hey need a job? How about playing for an undefeated team?

Re: Heath Evans to IR, Kyle Eckle Signed
 

Son of a bit**!!!!!!!!!! He was playing lights out for us. At least Big Sed just had a sprained knee. He probably wont play this Monday either.

Re: Heath Evans to IR, Kyle Eckle Signed
 

dang .... can Herb Donaldson or PJ Hill not play fullback for us either ... Is this Eckle fellah any good?

Re: Heath Evans to IR, Kyle Eckle Signed
 

He's not Heath good.