Saints Bench Kenny Vaccaro

The New Orleans Saints have benched safety Kenny Vaccaro, prior to Monday night's match-up against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois.

The 23-year old Vaccaro had started the first 13 games of 2014, compiling 66 total tackles, along with one sack and two interceptions.

A first-round pick out of Texas by the Saints in the 2013 NFL Draft, Vaccaro accumulated 79 total tackles, to go along with a sack and an interception in his rookie campaign.

The Saints, who are coming off of a 41-10 defeat to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday, have lost four of their last five games, and are currently 5-8 on the year, which puts them in a first-place tie with the Atlanta Falcons atop the NFC South.

Defensively, New Orleans ranks 31st, allowing 398.7 yards-per-game, while ranking 29th in pass defense, allowing 265.2 yards a contest.

The Saints have yet to announce a starter following the demotion of Vaccaro, although Jamarca Sanford and Marcus Ball, who were listed as back-ups in previous weeks, are possibilities.