New Orleans Saints Rumors: C.J. Spiller Expected Back From Injury, Giving Offense A New Dimension

The New Orleans Saints are rumored to be getting C.J. Spiller back from injury this week, an addition that could give the offense an entirely new dimension.

Spiller missed the team’s season opener against the Arizona Cardinals because he is still recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery he underwent this summer. Though initial reports indicated that he could miss the first two weeks of the season, new rumors indicate that the New Orleans Saints could have Spiller back in time for Week 2.

The addition could be a boon to the team’s offense. While backs Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson both offered versatility, Spiller brings an all-purpose dimension the likes of Reggie Bush.

Spiller has shown flashes of his ability during his time with the Buffalo Bills. In 2012, he gained 1,244 yards on the ground and 459 in the air, totaling eight touchdowns.

As Fansided noted, C.J. Spiller is also a very elusive runner.

“So, ‘when healthy,’ there aren’t many players who are tougher to bring down than C.J. Spiller. Ingram and Robinson were phenomenal Sunday, but Spiller should be even better. With his vision and ability in the open field, he could absolutely dominate behind New Orleans’ much-improved O-Line, and that’s what it all falls on — the offensive line (specifically center Max Unger and left tackle Terron Armstead).”

Spiller comes to the New Orleans Saints with a bit of a reputation as an underachiever, but it’s not entirely his fault, as he endured a regime in Buffalo that failed to properly utilize him. In the previous seasons under coach Doug Marrone, Spiller was often used in what would otherwise be a power rushing scheme, running off tackle and up the middle rather than playing to his strengths of getting to the outside and creating separation with defenders.

In fact, Spiller’s best seasons with the Bills were under the offensive-minded Chan Gailey, who used Spiller in a way that Sean Payton is likely to emulate. Spiller will also be playing with Drew Brees, the best quarterback he’s been paired with yet during his career. Combined with Robinson and Ingram, Spiller could help create what is the most dangerous backfield in the NFL, the Advocate noted.

But the rumors about when C.J. Spiller could return to the New Orleans Saints are still unclear. Though he will likely be cleared to play this week, there are reports that the team could hold him out of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which is an otherwise favorable matchup for the team.

[Image by Chris Graythen/Getty Images]