Saints running back Mark Ingram, a Heisman Trophy winner from Alabama, is having a breakthrough campaign in his fourth season in the NFL.
Ingram, who has rushed for 869 yards and is closing in on his first career 1,000-yard season, will be the X-Factor when the Falcons face the Saints in a playoff-elimination game at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Superdome.
“He’s playing very well,” Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan said. “He’s getting downhill when he’s running the ball.”
Ingram also has 24 catches for 124 yards.
“He’s also a good receiver out of the backfield,” Nolan said. “He’s got good hands.”
After Ingram was selected in the first round (28th overall) of the 2011 draft, his career got off to a slow start with the Saints, as he shared the position in a committee approach.
“You could always tell his competitiveness,” Nolan said. “I remember when there was a collision between him and (William Moore). I remember him getting up and being all energized by the whole thing. He’s competitive and a very good football player.”
Ingram has provided the Saints’ high-flying passing attack with some balance.
“I would say that he’s been pretty consistent,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “He’s had a real good year. There have been a game or two where we fell behind and maybe his production was off, but he’s been a threat with the running game.”
Ingram was slowed earlier in the season after he suffered a broken bone in his thumb against Cleveland in Week 2. The fracture required surgery, and he missed three games. Khiry Robinson took most of the snaps in his absence.
“I like his passion,” Payton said. “He’s someone who enjoys playing.”
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