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Saints running back Daniel Lasco back with 'more hunger' after dealing lingering injury



By Josh Katzenstein jkatzenstein@nola.com,
NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

Daniel Lasco earned an important role as a rookie with the New Orleans Saints.

During the first five games, Lasco was one of the Saints' core special teams players, and he made two tackles in his NFL debut. In those handful of games, the running back had just six carries and two receptions, but for a seventh-round pick, playing any amount of offense and special teams to open the season is impressive.

Then, Lasco suffered a hamstring injury. He missed the sixth game of the season in Week 7, and even though he returned for Week 8, the ailment would force Lasco to sit out eight of the Saints' final nine games.

Suddenly, a promising rookie year took a turn for the worst. Lasco went from being a factor in games to spending practice sessions in the training room and staying in New Orleans during road games.

"You kind of feel like an outcast," he said. "It's tough on anybody being hurt. Being in that spot, in that position, I learned a lot from it, and I don't want to be back in that position again."

Entering his second year, Lasco is performing in training camp as he did last season. He's a powerful back unafraid to put his dead down and gain extra yards. He's quick enough to evade defenders. And he's consistently competing with the top special teams group.

Lasco feels healthy, but he spent a lot of time this offseason working to ensure he could avoid a lingering injury similar to the one he dealt with in 2016.

He said his agent took him to visit a hamstring specialist and a "muscle fiber" specialist. Lasco researched his diet and other stretching methods he could employ. Now, he's doing extra stretching, yoga and dry needling to make sure he stays healthy and doesn't have another experience like last year ...

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AsylumGuido

I haven't been as high on Lasco as some here, but I hope I am proven wrong and he can become a consistent regular season contributor.

MatthewT

If Darius Victor really is the real deal, Lasco is probably done with the Saints.

K Major

Darius? I'll be curious to see how he performs against live competition under the lights tomorrow night.

Rugby Saint II

That's a tall order..........Lasco has all the talent for a one cut runner and he is good on special teams. I'm a fan!

K Major

Lasco really needs have a good showing in pre season. I hope he can shake off the injury bug for 2017. Special teams needs his help in a major way.