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Saints tight end Benjamin Watson on Thursday afternoon downplayed Mark Ingram’s sideline theatrics during Week 1’s season-opening loss at Atlanta, saying it’s part of what occurs on NFL sidelines — albeit more on some teams than others.

“We all get hot-headed and we all get upset during a game,” said Watson, who was one of several Saints that tried to calm or console Ingram, likely upset about his role at that point in Sunday’s game.

“If you were to see the sidelines, what we do and hear what’s going on, it’s a circus. Then 10 minutes after the game, everything is kind of left out. There’s no grudges held. Guys apologize: ‘Man, I can’t believe I said that to you. I was totally out of my mind.’ ”

Ingram was the former, standing about 20 feet away from other teammates, by himself.

He then exploded in the second half for 42 of his 60 yards, including two touchdown runs of 3 yards. The second score, with 1:20 left in regulation, gave the Saints a 34-31 lead.

Ingram is in the final season of his rookie contract, with plans to finally enjoy the kind of rushing campaign he hoped as a former Heisman Trophy winner out of the University of Alabama. Carries, though, are still shared between Ingram, Khiry Robinson, Pierre Thomas and Travaris Cadet.

Against Atlanta, Ingram posted 13 of the running backs’ 26 carries.

“We’re in this together and it’s our job to pick each other up when we’re down,” Watson said, “and bring each other down a little bit when we get too high.”


Read more: Teammates not concerned over Ingram outbursts | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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

All little common sense goes a long way.