Texans RB Mark Ingram Heading Back To Original Team, New Orleans Saints, Via Trade

Heisman-winning running back Mark Ingram is heading back to the team that drafted him. Announced Wednesday, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and NFL's Ian Rapoport, Ingram is getting shipped from the Houston Texans, with whom he spent only seven games total, back to the New Orleans Saints.

Ingram was drafted in the first round by the Saints in 2011. He spent eight seasons with New Orleans and signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. He was waived by the Ravens in 2021.

“They wanted me,” Ingram commented, via TexansWire, regarding his signing with the Texans leading up to the 2021-2022 season. “They had interest in me, and I know some of the players that have been on this team. I know they were two years removed from being in the AFC Championship, up on the Chiefs. I know there was potential.”

Ingram finished his brief tenure as a Texan with 92 rushing attempts, 294 yards and one touchdown.

The Texans offense has been in limbo all season: handicapped by the unsettled nature of the Deshaun Watson sexual assault allegations, and what the team eventually plans to do with the quarterback as the Nov. 2 NFL trade deadline looms.

Wednesday's trade has been seen as a relief for Ingram's role as a 31-year-old veteran: going from sloppy Texans football to the Saints, who are currently second in the NFC South race with a 4-2 record. Alvin Kamara will lead the backfield as the tandem reunite after having played together for two seasons (2017-2018). Ingram will turn 32 in December.

During his final appearance for the Texans in Week 7 against the Arizona Cardinals, Ingram accrued nine rushing yards on six carries. David Johnson led the Texans backfield with 25 yards on seven attempts. The 31-5 loss by the Texans puts the team at 1-6 heading into Week 8's matchup against the 6-1 Los Angeles Rams.

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