New Orleans Saints running back Khiry Robinson's season is over after he fractured his tibia in the second quarter of yesterday's win over the New York Giants, coach Sean Payton announced today.

"He got a tibia fracture down in a lower part of his leg," said Payton on a conference call with the media. "He had surgery last night. They were able to repair that, and he’s recovering right now.”

It's devastating news for Robinson, who was in the final year of his rookie contract and will enter restricted free agency next offseason. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of West Texas A&M in 2013.

Brandon Coleman #16 and Willie Snead #83 of the New Orleans Saints take a knee in prayer
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
loading...

When the injury occurred, members of the Saints team and staff huddled around Robinson in prayer.

“When an injury like that occurs and the players see that, the first thought is the amount of work that a guy like Khiry has put in and all of the sudden…his season has come to an end," noted Payton.

With Robinson out, the Saints currently have three running backs on active roster in Mark Ingram, C.J. Spiller and rookie Marcus Murphy.

"Marcus Murphy is someone that we haven't played there only because of our depth," said Payton. "He's someone who's not just a returner, we view him as a runner."

Murphy has handled kickoff and punt return duties this season, but hasn't factored into the offense.

If New Orleans adds a running back to the roster once Robinson is officially placed on injured reserve, veteran Tim Hightower is a possibility as he was in training camp and preseason with the club, before being cut just before the season opener, resigned after the opener, only to be released again two days later.

 

More From Hot 107.9