Rodney

Leisle

Leisle was expected to be a big part of New Orleans’ interior rotation. We recommend skill players going against the Saints.

The wide-bodied Leisle was signed late last season as a fifth defensive tackle before landing on injured reserve with a knee injury during the playoffs.

A nice pickup for the Saints, who have struggled against the run. Clancy, 28, is a quality run-stopping tackle who should contribute behind Hollis Thomas. The addition could be bad news for either Antwan Lake or Rodney Leisle.

GM Mickey Loomis detailed the news to the Associated Press, although didn’t say which foot Young broke or when he would return. Young may have been headed to the bench this season because of New Orleans’ improved tackle depth, so the Saints can handle the loss for now.

This makes room for Jerome McDougle. “And I felt badly about that,” coach Tom Coughlin said after announcing it. Probably not as bad as Rodney does.

Leisle, 29, had been standing in as the Saints’ No. 5 defensive tackle. New Orleans will go now with DeMario Pressley and Anthony Hargrove behind starters Sedrick Ellis and Remi Ayodele for the remainder of the postseason.

Leisle offers little explosiveness, but he adds a big body to the Saints’ struggling front seven. The 28-year-old is conservatively listed at 6'3/315.

Leisle has ten tackles this season; Lake has six. Thomas’ loss is a huge one (335 pounds) and gives opposing runners better matchups going forward. The Saints play the Cowboys in Week 14.