The Saints have put 23-year old RB P.J. Hill on the Injured Reserve List ending his season due to a leg injury.  Hill played in both pre-season games for the Saints and he carried the ball 15 times for 62 yards (4.1 ypc).  He also caught 4 passes for 23 yards (5.8 avg) for the Saints during the pre-season.  Hill was playing good enough to be considered for the opening roster for the Saints if he didn’t get hurt.  At worst, he would have been stuck on the practice squad.

The Saints have lost 25-year old RB Lynell Hamilton for the season as he tore his ACL in today’s practice.  Hamilton played in 9 games (1 start) for the Saints last season and he carried the ball 35 times for 125 yards (3.6 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  He also caught 5 passes for 48 yards (9.6 avg) last year.  Hamilton was the Saints’ #3 RB coming into this season so he will be missed.  P.J. Hill and undrafted rookie Chris Ivory out of Tiffin will battle for Hamilton’s spot on the depth chart.  The Saints had better pray that Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush stay healthy the whole 2010 season.

The Saints have signed their all-time leading rusher, 31-year old RB Deuce McAllister to a contract through the end of the playoffs.  With Pierre Thomas and Mike Bell a little dinged up I really like this signing.  McAllister palyed in 13 games for the Saints last season and he carried the ball 107 times for 418 yards (3.9 ypc) with 5 TD runs and he also caught 18 passes for 128 yards (7.1 avg) with a TD grab.  McAllister has now played in 97 games in his career with the Saints and he has carried the ball 1,429 times for 6,096 yards (4.3 ypc) with 49 TD runs (most in team history).  He has also caught 234 passes for 1,720 yards (7.4 avg) with 5 TD grabs for the Saints.  McAllister should be well rested if the Saints need him.  The Saints signed McAllister to replace DT Rodney Leisle who has been placed on Injured Reserve with a knee injury.

UPDATE:  Deuce McAllister has decided to retire after serving as a undressed team captain in last week’s game.  He will be replaced on the roster by DT Marlon Favorite.

The Saints have lost starting left defensive end Charles Grant for the season due to a case of torn triceps.  Grant played in all 16 games for the Saints this season and he made 44 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, forced 1 fumble and he defensed 2 passes.  Grant will be replaced in the starting line-up by 28-year old Bobby McCray.  McCray has played in all 16 games for the Saints this season and he has 12 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and 1 pass defensed.  This is a huge loss for the Saints and they need McCray to step up the rest of the way.

The Saints have placed 24-year old OLB JoLonn Dunber on the Injured Reserve List with a hamstring injury ending his season.  Dunbar played in 9 games for the Saints this year and he finished up with 20 tackles.  He has now played in 24 games in two years with the Saints and he has made 40 tackles and he has defensed 2 passes.  The Saints will miss Dunbar especially on special teams.