The Tim Hightower Era can begin now

This is the part of the football season when everyone inevitably finds themselves entirely out of healthy defensive backs and running backs.

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram has been placed on injured reserve.

Ingram reportedly injured his shoulder, and was not present during the portion of practice open to the media on Wednesday. He was officially placed on IR Wednesday afternoon.

Ingram first appeared on the injury report with a shoulder injury following the Week 10 loss to the Redskins. He left that game prior to halftime to go to the locker room, but returned to finish the game. He was limited that week in practice, but never missed practice or a game.

Ingram will finish the season with 166 carries for 769 yards and six touchdowns, along with 50 catches for 405 yards. He had 1,174 yards from scrimmage.

Was having a pretty darn good year, really.  That is, for being part of a 4-8 team, anyway.  Ingram has never rushed for 1000 yards as a Saint. For a while we thought maybe he'd do that this year. Oh well. One less bright spot in an increasingly dim year.

Anyway, welcome Tim Hightower to the starting lineup.  You might remember he was the "feel good" story of camp who came back from a serious injury to make his first NFL roster in a few seasons. And then Sean Payton cut him a day before the opening game. Because this whole season is a prank.

Speaking of pranks, there's also CJ Spiller. Who wants to bet he continues to get his customary 2 snaps a game from here on out?