"The New Orleans Saints were running out of options and healthy bodies during their 40-33 victory against the Houston Texans on Sunday at the Superdome. In a contentious contest in which the Saints had to overcome a nine-point, fourth quarter deficit, they were forced to make their comeback after losing several key starters, leaving them without any backups along the offensive line and at linebacker.

The Saints' injury list started to pile up early. Center Olin Kreutz (left knee) and linebackers Martez Wilson (stinger) and Will Herring (hamstring) all left the game in the first quarter. And right tackle Zach Strief (right knee) left the game in the third quarter and wasn't able to return, while tight end David Thomas also left the game in the second half with an unspecified injury.

Those ailments left the Saints to finish the game with just five healthy offensive linemen, three healthy linebackers and two tight ends."