MCL to sideline Saints' Ellis 4-6 weeks

[BlacksburgHokie]

When the New Orleans Saints try to slow down Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner on Monday night, they will have to do it without defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis.

Ellis sprained his medial collateral ligament during the Saints' win last week over the Miami Dolphins and is now expected to miss four to six weeks, according to a team source.

No surgery is planned for Ellis, and he is hoping and trying to come back even sooner. But doctors initially told Ellis that he could expect to miss four to six weeks, which is a blow to the Saints defense.

With Ellis sidelined, New Orleans will have to lean more on his backup, Anthony Hargrove.

[nawlinsaintfan]

The good news is... Hargrove outplayed Ellis by a large margin when he entered the Miami game. He ended up with 2 sacks and 2 TFL in about a half a game. Hate to lose a guy like Ellis for any amount of time, but it's nice to have a guy with Hargrove's talent be available to step up. Where this hurts us most is with depth at DT.

[CaliSaint4Life]

You'd be a fool to underestimate Hargrove. He's 300 LBS and moves like a Linebacker. He has the highest motor on the team. Ryan will definitely get to know him.

[Dr. Billings]

There isn't a professional team in business that starts a lesser player over another.

Ellis starts because he's better than Hargrove. There will be a drop off at DT for

the Saints. Anything else is wishful thinking and hogwash.

[WoTFan]

You'd be a fool to underestimate Hargrove. He's 300 LBS and moves like a Linebacker. He has the highest motor on the team. Ryan will definitely get to know him.

There is a reason Ellis is starting over him and was getting double teamed all the time.

[sporkdevil]

Hargrove isn't much of a run stuffer. He's a converted end who gets penetration.

[Statick]

Hargrove isn't much of a run stuffer. He's a converted end who gets penetration.

Let's hope JA98 does that for us tonight at DT.

[illest_will]

cool, hope he heals up good, recently got introduced to knee injuries with a personal ACL tear, no fun man

cool, hope he heals up good, recently got introduced to knee injuries with a personal ACL tear, no fun man

[NZFalcon]

There isn't a professional team in business that starts a lesser player over another.

Ellis starts because he's better than Hargrove. There will be a drop off at DT for

the Saints. Anything else is wishful thinking and hogwash.

Schaub/Vick just saying, but still doesnt matter who they have starting as we are gonna woop us up some a Monday Night Feast!!

[nawlinsaintfan]

There isn't a professional team in business that starts a lesser player over another.

Ellis starts because he's better than Hargrove. There will be a drop off at DT for

the Saints. Anything else is wishful thinking and hogwash.

So you're saying that since one player is a "starter" that no other player can come in and play better than the other guy was playing?

I mean, that has never happened before, right? Ever?

Interesting.... totally untrue... but still interesting none the less.

Edited November 2, 2009 by nawlinsaintfan

[muskokas finest ©]

Maybe we'll get lucky and Ellis will miss round #2 back in Atlanta as well

[OustRayDaMayor]

Ellis being out is absolutely a loss for the Saints. Hargrove is good, but he's no Ellis. The good news is Ellis will be back in Week 15-16 and be there for the Playoffs.

I expect to see the Falcons trying to run the ball between the Guards tonight as the result of the Ellis injury. But I also think Greg Williams has a plan in place to minimize that damage.