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.

Updating a previous item, Saints RB Darren Sproles missed Thursday's practice with a hand injury.  No further details, but we like it better than the hamstring problem that was originally reported.  We'll continue to update Sproles' status as we learn more.

Saints RB Darren Sproles missed Thursday's practice with a hamstring.  It's the first we've heard of the injury.  New Orleans plays on Monday night, so Sproles has an extra day to get ready.  He could just be getting the day off, but hammies always make us squeamish.  Check back tomorrow for an update.

Saints RB Darren Sproles (knee) was a full-go in Wednesday's practice.  It's confirmation that the minor knee injury he suffered in early-August is a non-issue.  Use Sproles as you normally would.  He's a PPR stud and a low-end RB2 in standard formats.

Saints RB Darren Sproles (knee) won't play in either the team's final 2 preseason games.  "The important thing his for him to get ready for that Week 1 game," interim HC Joe Vitt said.  "But he's going to get a chance to get back here in practice before that game. So we're good."  Sproles returned to limited practices this week.  As long as he puts in a few full practices before the season-opener, there will be nothing to worry about here.  We haven't lowered Sproles' 2012 projections.

Saints RB Darren Sproles has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in the team's 2nd preseason game on August 9th.  Interim HC Joe Vitt said that Sproles won't return to practice this week and likely won't play in Saturday's game against the Texans.  The injury was initially described as minor, and no one in or around the organization has expressed any concern.  Still, he's been out for almost 2 weeks now, so Sproles' health is worth monitoring.

Saints RB Darren Sproles (knee) returned to a limited practice on Tuesday.  He'd been out since early August with what was probably a minor knee sprain.  While Sproles won't play in Saturday's game against the Texans, interim HC Joe Vitt says that he'd be on the field if it were a regular season game.  Barring some sort of setback, consider Sproles' fantasy stock unaffected.

As expected, Saints RB Mark Ingram (turf toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Panthers.  His toe didn't respond well to a Wednesday workout.  RBs Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, and Chris Ivory will continue to split touches in New Orleans' backfield.

As expected, Saints RB Mark Ingram (turf toe) is inactive for tonight's game against the Falcons.  RBs Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, and Chris Ivory will split backfield duties.

Saints RB Mark Ingram (turf toe) was held out of practice again on Friday.  He's not playing against the Falcons on Monday night.  RB Chris Ivory is the best bet to lead the backfield in carries, but RBs Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles will mix in liberally and also handle passing-down work.

Saints RB Mark Ingram (turf toe) did not practice on Wednesday.  His case of turf toe is suppoesedly minor, but New Orleans has no reason to rush Ingram back when they have such a deep RB corps.  Don't count on the rookie playing this weekend, leaving RBs Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, and Chris Ivory to split backfield touches against the Vikings.

Saints RB Mark Ingram (turf toe) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Titans.  It's not surprising.  Even if the injury is minor, New Orleans has no reason to rush Ingram back when they have such a deep RB corps.  Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles will handle most of the RB duties this weekend, with RB Chris Ivory potentially seeing some short-yardage work.

Saints RB Mark Ingram (turf toe) missed practice again on Thursday.  His injury is considered relatively minor, but with RBs Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles playing well, New Orleans has the luxury of holding Ingram out until he's completely healthy.  We'd bet against him playing against the Titans this Sunday.

Saints RB Mark Ingram (heel) was held out of practice again on Thursday.  It's looking like he'll miss Sunday's game against the Bucs.  New Orleans' backfield figures to be a 3-headed attack again with Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, and Chris Ivory.  Sproles' receiving production makes him the only safe play.

The Saints have ruled RB Mark Ingram (heel) out for Sunday's game against the Rams.  Expect him to return for Week 9.  In the meantime, Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles will serve as New Orleans top-2 RBs this weekend.  Both guys are solid RB2 options in a plus, plus matchup.  RB Chris Ivory will make his 2011 debut on Sunday and could see goal line action.  He's a deep sleeper in TD-heavy leagues.

Saints RB Mark Ingram (heel) did not practice on Wednesday.  He's considered day-to-day and seems iffy for this weekend's game against the Rams.  If he can't go, RBs Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles would split touches.  Both guys would be strong fantasy options in a plus, plus matchup.

The Saints are calling RB Mark Ingram "day-to-day" with the bruised heel he suffered late in Sunday night's shellacking of the Colts.  It sounds like the rookie escaped a serious injury, although he could still be held out of this coming Sunday's easily-winnable game against the Rams.  We'll update Ingram's status throughout the week.  RBs Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles would share backfield duties if Ingram can't go.

Saints HC Sean Payton still plans on getting RB Pierre Thomas plenty of touches this year.   "He definitely has a significant role with what we do and was a big reason why, and his role is a big reason why the club signed him [to a new contract in the offseason]," Payton said of Thomas.  "There’ll be plenty of touches not only for Pierre, but for Mark [Ingram] and Darren [Sproles] and it’s our job to mix those up and also to let the running back get comfortable and get in a rhythm when he’s in the game.”  Sounds like a full-fledged committee to us.  Ingram still has the most upside because he'll see goal line looks.  But the limited carries will make it tough for him to crack the top-20 RBs.  Thomas, meanwhile, is a nice value pick in the 8th or 9th-round.  Sproles should be a PPR gem in Reggie Bush's old pass-catching role.

Saints RB Darren Sproles is tentatively expected to handle both kick and punt returns this season. Courtney Roby – a strict special teamer who’s handled kickoffs for New Orleans over the last 3 seasons – would likely lose his roster spot if Sproles locks down the job. Taking on double duties would also give Sproles a sizeable boost in return yardage leagues.

The Saints have signed RB Darren Sproles to a 4-year, $14 million deal.  He'll make an excellent replacement for the departed Reggie Bush.  Sproles may not come with the same fanfare as Bush, but he's just as dynamic.  He figures to serve as a change-of-pace, pass-catching back in New Orleans.  From a fantasy standpoint, he could hold RB3 value in PPR formats.  His arrival is a strike against the values of RB Pierre Thomas and WR Lance Moore.