NFL Rumors: New Orleans Saints won’t pick up Mark Ingram’s fifth-year option

Jan 11, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) receives the hand off from quarterback Drew Brees (9) against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) receives the hand off from quarterback Drew Brees (9) against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) receives the hand off from quarterback Drew Brees (9) against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) receives the hand off from quarterback Drew Brees (9) against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

With the May 3 deadline to pick up fifth-year options on players from the class of 2011 quickly approaching, most teams have either made or are nearing final decisions.

The New Orleans Saints have already decided to pick up the option on defensive end Cameron Jordan, but have been unsure about what to do with running back Mark Ingram.

Although he has had not lived to his billing as the 28th overall pick in the first round of the 2011 Draft, with Darren Sproles out of the picture, it would not have been a surprise if the Saints wanted to hang on to Ingram beyond next season.

However, that is not the case.

According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Saints will not be picking up the option.

Ingram’s career-high is 602 yards and he rushed for just 386 yards and one touchdown on 78 carries in only 11 games last season.

He will now become an free agent after the 2014 season.