An already depleted New Orleans Saints defensive secondary has apparently suffered yet another blow. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported on Monday that Saints safety Rafael Bush tore his pectoral muscle during New Orlean's season-opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Bush left the game against Arizona in the second quarter with what was deemed at the time to be a shoulder injury and was later amended to a chest injury. He was seen in the lockerroom post-game in a sling.
In Bush's place, veteran Jamarca Sanford, who has played mostly strong safety during his NFL career, took over on the backend of Rob Ryan's defense. Bush's absence will be felt all the more deeply due to the fact that he was only in the starting lineup in place of the already injured Jairus Byrd.
Bush's injury is just another in a long line of devastating wounds to the Saints secondary already this young season. Cornerback Keenan Lewis underwent hip surgery and is likely to miss at least the first quarter of the season. Fellow safety Byrd is struggling with a lingering knee issue after signing a major free agent deal with the Saints last season. And recent draft pick PJ Williams, selected in the third round this past April, suffered a torn hamstring.
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Bush is in his fifth season out of South Carolina State. He's spent the last three years with New Orleans after initially entering the league with Denver. As a part-time contributor on the New Orleans defense, Bush has collected 18, 42 and 55 tackles of the past three years. He's also added one forced fumble and one interception.