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Mike Triplett

METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints have never specified the nature of fullback Erik Lorig’s leg injury. But clearly it’s not a minor issue, since Lorig hasn’t even watched a practice in street clothes since first suffering the injury during a scrimmage on Aug. 2.


The fact that the Saints immediately went out and signed veteran fullback Greg Jones was another indicator that they didn’t expect Lorig back quickly.

It’s still unknown when or if Lorig is expected back this season. But coach Sean Payton said the team will prepare as if he’s not going to be ready for Week 1, with Jones and third-year pro Austin Johnson competing to serve as Lorig’s replacement.

"Our preparation's got to be with the idea that, as Erik's rehabbing, we've got to be ready to have a fullback Week 1, with the chance it's not going to be Erik," Payton said. "And so both of those guys are competing.

“Greg’s a veteran player. Austin's been with us now for the better part of a year and a half. And so I think, No. 1, Austin's had a good camp. Greg's been here for two weeks. Both of them will play a lot again this weekend [Saturday night at Indianapolis].”

Payton later added that Johnson is “doing real well.” The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder spent most of last season on the Saints’ practice squad after signing with the team in January 2013. Johnson was actually a linebacker in college at Tennessee, and he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2012. But he didn’t find a permanent home that season.

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New Orleans Saints prepared if Erik Lorig injury lingers - ESPN

Danno

I think we'll be OK with Austin Johnson if Lorig can't go.

xan

Does he have hands? I don't remember him playing.

Danno

From what little I've seen of Austin Johnson I'd say yes, he looked to have soft hands and agile feet.

I know I sound like a broken record but I really like what I've seen from him and think at worst he'd be about equal to Jed Collins and likely much better running and receiving.

And I kinda like that he was a LB turned FB.

Jack Vegas

I really, really like Austin Johnson a lot. When I re-watched the Rams game I noticed him at least 5-6 times with great lead blocks. He's noticeably faster to the hole than Jed was.

We can also use Watson/Hill in the FB spot. Or even somebody like Nic Jacobs down the road.

dizzle88

Austin Johnson impressed last preseason aswell

I remember him catching a pass in the flat and bouncing off 3 defenders for a first down, the guy has good hands and doesn't go down easy, also made some great lead blocks for Ingram in the rams game

saintsfan1976

Hat on a hat. No matter your contract. Austin can block and that's what he'll be used for. The longest pass he'll ever catch is ~5yds in the air so I'm not worried

Utah_Saint

With Payton as a coach you never can tell.

I can see it now, third quarter in the Super Bowl, Payton pulls out his super secret double reverse fullback flee flicker.

It could happen.

ScottF

true, but it deserves to be noted that our FB had 29 touches last year. I don't expect any significant increase or decrease in that area

The Dude

Who picked up Jed Collins?