Saints' Mark Ingram won't see every-down duties in Week 9 vs. 49ers

Despite a good week of practice for Ingram, the Saints will continue to split reps

Saints running back Mark Ingram is working his way out of coach Sean Payton's doghouse, team sources said, but is not yet back in his role of feature back. Payton intends to split the workload this week against the 49ers, after Ingram's propensity to fumble led to his Week 8 benching.

Ingram had a strong week of practice and is in line to receive the ball regularly, the sources said, but just not in the every-down role he is accustomed to. Tim Hightower received an increased workload last week after Ingram's early fumble and the plan is to split carries between the backs.

Should one of them get hot, the division of labor could obviously change, and Payton is not averse to riding the hot hand. Hightower carried a whopping 26 times last week, while Ingram watched from the sideline after losing a fumble for the second straight game.