METAIRIE, La. - Brandin Cooks' season is officially done after the New Orleans Saints placed the dynamic rookie receiver on injured reserve Tuesday with a broken thumb.
Cooks' agent had estimated a timetable of 4-6 weeks after Cooks' surgery on Monday, but the Saints must not have felt confident that he could get back to full strength in time for a possible playoff run.
The Saints also placed safety Rafael Bush on injured reserve after he suffered a broken leg in Sunday's 27-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. They also released backup running back Edwin Baker and signed linebacker Moise Fokou and defensive backs Pierre Warren and Terrence Frederick on a busy day of transactions.
It's less clear how the Saints will replace Bush, who was already an injury replacement himself for former starter Jairus Byrd. The Saints could move backups Jamarca Sanford or Marcus Ball into starting roles, though both are considered more strong safety/special teamers. They could possibly move cornerback Corey White over, since he played some safety in college and in training camp. Or they could immediately elevate Warren, an undrafted rookie who impressed during Saints training camp before ultimately being released -- ironically because they had too much depth at the position at the time.
Cooks is leading all NFL rookies with 53 catches this year, with 550 catches and three touchdowns.
The Saints' offense, which ranks second in the NFL in total yards and third in passing yards is still deep and somewhat versatile. But Cooks' loss hurts quite a bit since his speed added such a dynamic element too -- both on deep balls and screen passes/end-around runs.
Cooks had started to emerge as New Orleans' most consistent threat on deep balls this year -- an area that needed more of a boost even when he was on the field. The Saints didn't complete a pass of longer than 17 yards in last Sunday's loss.
The Saints will probably lean even more heavily now on tight end Jimmy Graham and receivers Marques Colston and Kenny Stills in the passing game. They might also use backup receiver Joe Morgan more in that deep-ball department. And it would help greatly if they can get veteran receiver Robert Meachem and pass-catching running back Pierre Thomas back quickly from their own injuries.