Keenan Lewis getting hip surgery, out 4-6 weeks

The New Orleans Saints are going to be without star cornerback Keenan Lewis for the first 4-6 weeks of the regular season after undergoing hip surgery, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Losing Lewis is a crippling blow to a secondary already waiting on the return of Jairus Byrd, who could be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

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With Lewis recovering and third-round selection, corner P.J. Williams, being placed on Injured Reserve with a torn hamstring, the Saints are looking to start Dlevin Breaux on the outside along with Brandon Browner.

While Lewis is widely respected throughout the league, Pro Football Focus believes this might not be a huge issue for the Saints. Last year, Lewis ranked 98th of 108 corners in the National Football League, finishing the year with a grade of -11.7.

New Orleans went 7-9 last season and is looking to rebound behind a revamped roster. The Saints released troubled defensive end Junior Galette and signed Browner. General manager Mickey Loomis also pulled off the trade of the offseason when he dealt All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks, and acquired center Max Unger and a first-round pick in exchange. Loomis took guard Andrus Peat from Stanford and inside linebacker Stephone Anthony from the University of Clemson, shoring up both sides of the ball.

The Saints have been known as an offensive team ever since head coach Sean Payton took over and Drew Brees came in before the 2006 season. New Orleans is again going to have to rely on its offense to keep it in games with Lewis and Byrd both on the shelf. If the defense is going to be competitive early, defensive coordinator Rob Ryab will have to come up with exotic schemes out of the 3-4 defense.