The Saints depth continued to be tested on Saturday, with RB Eno Benjamin going down with a non-contact injury that is expected to end his season.
The 24-year-old went to the turf early in practice as he went through drills. He was looked at by trainers before being carted off the field. Head coach Dennis Allen said the injury was believed to be a ruptured Achilles, with further imaging needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Benjamin, who was claimed on waivers from the Houston Texans late last season, had been held out of practices during OTAs and minicamp for an undisclosed injury.
The injury is the latest disappointing result for a player who was contending for a spot on the Saints roster. Alvin Kamara leads the running back group, but he will suspended the first three games of the season. The load will be shouldered primarily by veteran Jamaal Williams and rookie Kendre Miller, but the depth beyond that is up in the air. The lone running backs remaining on the roster will be converted WR Kirk Merritt and UDFA Ellis Merriweather, with a heavy does of Taysom Hill likely as well.
Benjamin is likely soon to join the IR list with LB Andrew Dowell, who had his season end due to a torn ACL earlier in the week. Guard Trai Turner has also been sent to season-ending IR with a quad injury.
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There are several other injuries the Saints are contending with, though none are expected to be in the season-ending category. Andrus Peat has missed the past four practices due to a quad injury of his own, while Calvin Throckmorton is dealing with an elbow issues. Demario Davis and Bryan Bresee missed Saturday's practice with a quad issue, though neither is believed to be serious. Rashid Shaheed and Tre'Quan Smith both left practice early with hamstring issues.
The Saints are now a week away from their preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, but will likely be adding a name or two to the roster prior to that showdown in the Superdome.
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