Saints Running Backs Hobbled Until the End

The New Orleans Saints were without their four best running backs, at the end of Saturday's 41-36, NFC playoff loss, to the Seattle Seahawks. James Varney, of the Times-Picayune, has the story, below.

Reggie Bush #25 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball against David Hawthorne #57 of the Seattle Seahawks in the third quarter during the 2011 NFC wild-card playoff game at Qwest Field on January 8, 2011 in Seattle, Washington.

Courtesy---James Varney/Times-Picayune

The New Orleans Saints refused to blame injuries once again Saturday after their shocking 41-36 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field but one key play toward the end reflected just how shorthanded New Orleans was.

A 6-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees to wide receiver Devery Henderson had made the score 41-36 with 1:29 remaining. The Saints went for a 2-point conversion to pull them within a field goal. The call? A handoff to DeShawn Wynn, a running back out of the game just a few days ago but whom the Saints were forced to sign when their top two backs, Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory, went on injured reserve.

http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2011/01/new_orleans_saints_running_bac_38.html