The Saints defense suffered a major blow in their quest to lift themselves up from last place in the NFL.
New Saints linebacker Victor Butler's 2013 season appears to be done before it really started.
FOXSportsSouthwest.com sources confirm Butler tore his ACL during Tuesday's OTA session when he banged knees with running back Mark Ingram.
Butler and Ingram ran into each other on a side swipe collision, and Butler's knee suffered the consequences.
Trainers helped him off the field Tuesday.
The injury didn't appear that serious at first.
Sean Payton told reporters attending the OTA: "I think he will be all right."
However an MRI revealed a very different story.
The Black and Gold was counting on Butler to be a key component on and off the field in the new 3-4 defense Rob Ryan is spear heading.
Ryan coached Butler while the two were in Dallas with the Cowboys, so the outside linebacker had unique knowledge to help his new teammates pick up Ryan's game plan.
The Saints now need to identify other alternatives for that outside linebacker/pass rusher position.
Expect to see veterans Will Smith, Junior Galette and Martez Wilson a bit more.
This unfortunate development for the Saints is a bit of dismal deja vu. Last year, another new defensive player, Chris Chamberlain, tore his ACL preseason and was done for the year.
