New Orleans Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis had hip surgery Tuesday and is reported to miss four to six weeks, according to NFL reporter Ian Rapoport. This is a blow to defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and the Saints defense.
Ryan is known to use many blitz packages, which rely on corners to cover top receivers man-to-man. Lewis, who had two interceptions last season and 37 tackles, is joining a list of injuries in the secondary for the Saints, as safety Jarius Byrd has been out with an undisclosed injury, according to New Orleans Advocate reporter Nick Underhill.
Byrd could be placed on the physically unable to perform list and would be forced to miss the first six games, according to NFL reporter Kevin Patra.
The Saints have also been without their new addition of Brandon Browner, who has been out since the first preseason game when he suffered a knee injury. Kenny Vaccario has also been fighting an injury but should be back sooner then later, according to Underhill.
In the Saints Base 4-3 defense, the entire secondary is or has been injured. Most are expected to return soon, but Lewis' injury is just another addition to a long list. The secondary is young behind these veterans, and Lewis was expected to lead this group.
The Saints start their schedule at Arizona and will hope their secondary can contain Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown. Ryan may need to adjust his plans for the beginning of the season, as blitzing too often could leave his depleted secondary in a bad position.
