Saints Place RB Betts On IR, Sign LB Mitchell

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have placed veteran running back Ladell Betts in injured reserve and added veteran linebacker Kawika Mitchell to the roster.

Betts joined the club during training camp, was cut before the regular season and then brought back after Reggie Bush broke a bone in his lower right leg in Week 2.

Betts played in eight games, gaining 150 yards on 45 carries with two touchdowns. He also had 23 catches for 141 yards. Betts sat out the past two games with a neck injury and now Bush is back and running back Pierre Thomas appears ready to return.

Mitchell has played seven NFL season with Kansas City, the New York Giants and Buffalo. He has 487 career tackles with 12 sacks and six interceptions.

Meanwhile, the Saints returned to the practice fields today as they continue to get ready for Sunday's game against St. Louis. The Rams are tied for first place in the weak NFC West with a 6-6 record. But NFL annalyst Mike Detillier points out St. Louis is on a two-game winning streak. The Rams are a surprise this season thanks to rookie quarterback Sam Bradford. The former Oklahoma star has thrown for 2600 yards, 17 touchdowns and ten interceptions. Detillier says defensive coordinator Greg Williams will want to put some heat on the rookie QB. There's four more games left in the regular season and the Saints trail Atlanta by one game for first place in the NFC South. Detillier says the Falcons have the easier schedule.