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Mark Ingram faced a semi-circle of sportswriters and videographers at his locker in the Saints’ training facility Thursday when he acknowledged times were as they’d never been for him in the NFL.

He had just averaged 27 carries and more than 130 rushing yards in his team’s three previous games, scoring three touchdowns as New Orleans went 2-1. The performances were enough for the Saints’ Sean Payton on Thursday to say Ingram was rushing the ball as well as the best running backs he’d coached over the last three decades: five-time Pro Bowler Ricky Watters at Philadelphia; three-time Pro Bowler Tiki Barber with the New York Giants; and seven-time Pro Bowler Marshall Faulk at San Diego State.

“I haven’t touched the ball that much probably since college,” said Ingram, a four-year pro who had never carried the ball more than 21 times and had only twice rushed for more than 100 yards before the recent stretch. “People (in public these days) show love and congratulate you and say you’re doing a great job and you’re their favorite Saint, … (and) I wasn’t getting that … all the time.”

However, as much as he’s enjoyed all of it, he realized the raw number of carries and yards could diminish soon. Ingram has received more carries than usual because running backs Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas missed the past three games due to injuries. Indications are that both will eventually return; and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they were utilized as they had been prior to being hurt, when they had combined for 693 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns.

“I know what type of system we run; and … those guys are banged up, so I just had to step up and do my job,” said Ingram, who already has a career-high six rushing touchdowns this season for the Saints (4-5) despite missing three games with a fractured hand. “I know that’s part of the system. We split carries and stuff — I know that’s probably coming.”

Read more: Mark Ingram relishing his opportunity | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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