AP photo by Gerald Herbert
Mark Ingram runs through a drill at the New Orleans Saints’ training camp.
Former Alabama standout Mark Ingram is limited in some New Orleans Saints practices this preseason, but reports say that it’s simply a precaution.
When Ingram goes through a full practice, the Saints then limit him the next day. He had off-season surgery to fix a turf-toe problem that kept him out of the final two 2011 regular-season games. He also missed the postseason. In addition, he had arthoscopic knee surgery in the off-season.
Ingram rushed for 471 yards last season as a rookie, but he told reporters after practice recently that he is ready for a bigger role.
“The rookie year was just a complete learning experience, just coming in, being familiar with my teammates, getting comfortable with my coaches, the organization, the playbook and everything else,” Ingram said in quotes distributed by the Saints. “I learned the playbook last year and this offseason, just studying it and watching film. Your second year in the NFL, I think you grow a little bit more.
“It was similar to your freshman year in college. My freshman year, I did some good things. My sophomore year, I grew into a better player by learning offense and learning how to read defenses. I just think your second year in the league you grow more as a player and I think that could bring some more success.”
As for the injuries, Ingram said, “I’m feeling good. I’m just taking it one day at a time. I feel good out there running and cutting. I feel healthy, I feel strong and I feel fast. It’s just about staying healthy, keeping the maintenance up on it and making sure I maintain that health throughout the whole season. That’s the number one priority is getting better and staying healthy.”
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