NEW ORLEANS -- Rookie Marcus Murphy earned my game ball with his standout performance in the New Orleans Saints' 27-13 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. And he earned something much more important in the process -- a roster spot.

"I like the player," Saints coach Sean Payton stressed after the game. "He's making this team."

The 5-foot-9, 195-pounder, who is a slightly bigger version of former Saints “Mighty Mouse” all-purpose back Darren Sproles, gained 67 yards on three receptions (including a 41-yarder). Murphy also gained 43 rushing yards on eight carries, 11 yards on a punt return and 20 yards on a kickoff return.

I don’t expect the seventh-round draft pick out of Missouri to play a key role on New Orleans’ offense this year. But he appears to be the Saints’ leading candidate to return kicks after coach Sean Payton has praised him throughout the preseason. And the Saints might lean on Murphy a little bit in September if top runner/receiver C.J. Spiller is still limited by his knee injury.

The only thing keeping Murphy from locking down the top kick return job was a 50-yard kickoff return by Saints receiver Jalen Saunders -- who impressed as their return man late last season. Saunders has fallen behind Murphy this summer, though, partly due to injury.