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Mark Ingram is back and 'ready to work' with the Saints



By Luke Johnson, NOLA.com
The Times-Picayune

That Mark Ingram was there to meet his New Orleans Saints teammates when they arrived at the airport after a 33-18 win in New York was not a surprise to teammate Demario Davis.

"He's a guy who is ready to get back to work," Davis said.

Ingram is officially back in the fold after serving his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancing drugs (a charge Ingram unsuccessfully challenged on the basis that the substance was permissible).

He brought his trademark energy when he greeted the team at the airport after they arrived late Sunday (Sept. 30).

"It was just joy and excitement," said left tackle Terron Armstead. "Mark is a guy that is loved by the entire locker room and the entire organization. It's just the energy he brings, the positivity he brings to the team. His energy is contagious."

In a conference call Tuesday (Oct. 2), Saints coach Sean Payton said Ingram looked to be in fine shape physically, noting that it was just four weeks away from the team. Ingram also competed in Saints' training camp and preseason games.

"He wasn't gone for a year and a half or been a castaway on an island," Payton said. "It was four weeks. He's in good shape."

Last season, he earned a trip to the Pro Bowl after rushing for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also set a career high in receptions (58) and receiving yards (416).

By combining Ingram with Alvin Kamara, the Saints finished No. 5 in the NFL in rushing and led the league with 23 rushing touchdowns and a 4.7 yards per carry average.

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