Saints RB Mark Ingram (toe) returned to a limited practice on Wednesday.  The 1^st round bust hasn’t played since Week 2 and remains far off the fantasy radar.  Leave him on the waiver wire.

Saints RB Mark Ingram (toe) is not expected to play against the Cardinals today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.  We still don't have any details on Ingram's injury, but toe issues are generally bad news for RBs.  And Ingram didn't practice at all this week.  Assuming he's inactive, RB Pierre Thomas figures to pick up a few extra targets.  He's on the RB2 radar.  RB Darren Sproles could see an increased workload, too, but he should be in fantasy lineups regardless.

According to Saints insider Larry Holder, RB Mark Ingram has been getting most of his snaps with the 2nd-team offense in offseason practices.  Ingram has been hyped by some as a 2013 breakout candidate.  He's a bruising former 1st-round pick, and the Saints are looking to re-commit to the ground game this year.  But Holder's report throws some cold water on Ingram's fantasy outlook.  The Saints will continue to go with a committee backfield. Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles have received the "vast majority" of 1st-team snaps this spring, Holder says.  Sproles is a good bet to compile the best numbers among the 3 backs.  Thomas could once again be the best value in fantasy drafts.  Ingram, meanwhile, will likely continue to be a frustrating player to own.

The Saints are looking to re-commit to the running game in 2013.  That includes getting RB Darren Sproles more carries.  "With Darren, he's got a unique skill set," HC Sean Payton said. "He's real sudden. I still see him as a valuable runner as well as a receiver."  Sproles averaged just 3.7 carries and 18.8 rush yards per game last year.  Both marks were way down from 2011, when Sproles averaged 5.4 carries and 37.7 yards.  More ground-game production would help Sproles get back into RB2 territory in non-PPR fantasy leagues.  He's a legit top-12 RB in PPR formats.

Saints insider Mike Triplett believes RB Mark Ingram is set up for the most productive season of his career.  That's not necessarily setting a lofty bar considering Ingram's career highs sit at 602 rushing yards and 5 scores.  Triplett throws out 1,000 yards and 10 TDs as possibilities, though.  He points to Chris Ivory's departure; the team's rededication to the ground game; and Ingram's full health as reasons to be optimistic.  Still, we're struggling to get to those projections.  The Saints will remain a pass-heavy offense, and Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles are still around.  New Orleans ran for just 1,577 yards as a team last year.  And Ingram has yet to top 3.9 yards per carry as a pro.  The 10 TDs are probably more in reach than 1,000 yards.  The Alabama product might be worth gambling on as a 3rd or 4th RB on your fantasy squad, but we're not banking on a breakout campaign.

According to Saints RB Pierre Thomas, HC Sean Payton talked about re-establishing the running attack in his very first meeting with the team this offseason.  "There's going to be more focus this year on that ground game than any year," Thomas said.  "[Payton] said we've got to get back to running the ball, having 100-yard games non-stop. I can't wait. I'm excited and I know everybody else is excited."  After finishing 6th in rushing in 2011, New Orleans dropped to 25th last year.  Their 370 total rushes ranked 29th in the league -- and were 61 fewer than they recorded the previous season.  We can safely expect the Saints to run it more in 2013.  But the backfield is still crowded, with Thomas, Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles in the mix.  Outside of Sproles in PPR leagues, all 3 guys figure to struggle for anything more than RB3 or flex value.

HC Sean Payton and the Saints have agreed to a 5-year contract extension.  It keeps the offensive mastermind in New Orleans through the 2017 season.  There were rumors that Payton would consider packing his bags for Dallas, but a return to the Big Easy was always the most likely scenario.  Payton has won 62 regular season games, plus a Super Bowl, in 6 seasons with the Saints.  The team has finished as a top 6 offense each year.  Payton's new deal is excellent news for the fantasy values of guys like Drew Brees, Darren Sproles, Marques Colston, and Jimmy Graham.

As expected, Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) is active for today's game against the 49ers.  He's been practicing for 2 weeks and should be able to play his usual role.

Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) put in a full week of practice and is listed as probable for Sunday's showdown with the 49ers.  His rushing role figures to be minimal, but Sproles should step right back in as a major weapon in the passing game.

Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) put in a full practice on Wednesday.  Barring a setback, he'll return for this weekend's game against the 49ers.  With RBs Mark Ingram and Chris Ivory playing so well, Sproles might see even fewer carries than the 4 he averaged over his first 7 games.  He'll continue to be a major weapon in the passing game though.

Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) is INACTIVE for today's game against the Raiders.  He practiced all week but has still been experiencing swelling in that hand.  We're tentatively expecting him to return for Week 12.  Meanwhile, RBs Mark Ingram, Chris Ivory, and Pierre Thomas will continue to share backfield duties.

Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders.  He practiced all week but is still reportedly experiencing some swelling in that hand.  If active, Sproles' role might be reduced.  He's a risky fantasy option this week, even in PPR formats.  Meanwhile, OC Pete Carmichael confirmed that RB Chris Ivory will play even if Sproles does return.  We could be looking at a 4-headed attack here, with those two plus Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas.  It's a plus matchup against Oakland, but all 4 guys are risky fantasy plays.

Darren Sproles put in a full practice on Thursday, his 2nd straight day on the field. He's looking like a strong bet to face Oakland on Sunday. Sproles might have trouble finding carries in a backfield that has functioned particularly well the past 2 weeks, but count on Brees to deliver him some targets. Sproles is tough to sit for PPR owners whenever active and has been added to our Week 11 rankings.

Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) returned to practice on Wednesday.  He was listed as limited, but interim HC Joe Vitt said Sproles was a "full go in shells and looked good."  It sounds like he has a legitimate shot to return for this weekend's game against the Raiders.  That'd further cloud the Saints' backfield.  We'll have another update on Sproles tomorrow.

Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Falcons. There were whispers that Sproles could be back this week, but he didn't practice at all and doesn't seem particularly close. RBs Pierre Thomas, Chris Ivory, and Mark Ingram will continue to share backfield duties in New Orleans.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen hears that Saints RB Darren Sproles (hand) could end up missing just 1-2 weeks.  Broncos RB Willis McGahee reportedly had the same injury last season.  He was only sidelined 1 game.  We're still worried how the hand injury will impact a pass-catching RB like Sproles, but this latest update makes him worth hanging on to in all fantasy leagues.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen hears that Saints RB Darren Sproles is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after undergoing hand surgery.  Mort adds that there is "optimism for an earlier return."  The broken bone was in Sproles' left hand near the wrist.  It's a concerning injury for a pass-catching back, and could impact Sproles' play when he returns.  We'd hang on to him in all PPR formats, but he's droppable in shallower standard formats.  It sounds like Sproles is out until at least Week 13.

Saints RB Darren Sproles underwent surgery to repair a fractured hand.  The team hasn't provided a timetable for his return, but Sproles obviously won't play against the Eagles on Monday night.  And he'll likely miss at least another couple weeks beyond that.  It's a significant loss for QB Drew Brees, but he remains a must-start in fantasy.  The big winner here is Pierre Thomas, who could see 15+ touches per week with Sproles out.  Marques Colston, Lance Moore, and Jimmy Graham also figure to pick up a few extra targets per game.