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Next man up.

Those three words have become part of the everyday sports vernacular. One player goes down; another steps up.

It certainly applies to the Saints, who suffered a crack in their newly-poured defensive foundation under first-year coordinator Rob Ryan.

That said, the unexpected and potentially season-ending loss of recently acquired outside linebacker Victor Butler during routine drills in Tuesday’s organized team activity speaks to the fragility of a player’s career and how quickly things can change.

It can happen in the blink of an eye — or, in this case, an accidental banging of knees with running back Mark Ingram during the third-to-last “no-pads’’ workout before summer break.

The sudden loss of a projected starter in Ryan’s new 3-4 scheme creates a golden opportunity for someone else to win a starting job — or, at the least, gain significant playing time.

That serves as a starting point for the five most compelling issues facing coach Sean Payton as the clock winds down to the start of training camp July 26.

It’s 40 days and counting.

1. With Butler sidelined, where will the pass rush come from?

Butler figured to play a key role coming off the edge, though that merely was a projection because he only showed glimpses in Dallas in a backup role. Barring the acquisition of additional rush personnel, Junior Galette, Martez Wilson and Will Smith are expected to lead the charge.

Defensive end Cameron Jordan shows great sack potential, and undrafted rookie free agent Chase Thomas is an intriguing prospect. Look for Ryan to find unconventional ways to attack the quarterback from a variety of angles, similar to the style employed by Gregg Williams. The roster still lacks a marquee pass rusher partly because of salary cap constraints, so it essentially will be pass rush by committee.

2. How many pieces are missing in Ryan’s new puzzle of a 3-4 defense ?

Depending on the analyst du jour, the Saints’ returning defensive personnel either is best suited to play a 3-4 or a major roster overhaul is in order. The bottom line is Butler and former Cowboys defensive end Kenyon Coleman (both considered second-tier free agents) were the two main additions to the front seven, and Butler is sidelined.

Besides rookie defensive tackle John Jenkins, everyone else who figures prominently this season is a holdover from 2012. Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton is the glue that holds the front seven together. The elder statesmen — Smith and linebacker Jonathan Vilma — need to contribute, and the young players have to grow up in a hurry for this group to succeed.

With regard to getting gashed in the running game (see last season), Ryan said the problems under former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo have been fixed schematically. Time will tell.

3. Who is Bret Ingalls, an d ho w will he revamp t he front line?

Ingalls is in his fifth year with the Saints, having served the first four as running backs coach. He succeeds Aaron Kromer as offensive line coach and has big shoes to fill, beginning with finding a competent replacement for two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jermon Bushrod, who rejoined Kromer with the Chicago Bears.

During his five-year tenure in New Orleans, Kromer had the luxury of coaching a handful of outstanding O-linemen, such as Jahri Evans, Ben Grubbs, Carl Nicks, Jeff Faine and Jonathan Goodwin. But Kromer also made other, less-heralded players better — Jon Stinchcomb, Zach Strief, Brian de la Puente and Bushrod, to name a few.

Now Ingalls must find a player to protect quarterback Drew Brees’ blindside. The leading candidates are Charles Brown, veteran Jason Smith and rookie Terron Armstead.

Read more: Analysis: Taking stock as the Saints

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Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.