Payton: C.J. Spiller will play 'a significant role, as will Tim Hightower'

With Mark Ingram out for the year, C.J. Spiller has a golden opportunity to see more playing time.

“We’re going to get a chance to see more now,” Sean Payton said. “I think the training camp injury set him back some, and then it’s just a matter of the confidence and the explosion off that knee. He’ll play a significant role, as will Tim Hightower and even (Marcus) Murphy.”

Hightower was released after a strong training camp, and re-signed Nov. 4. He hadn’t played prior to this season since 2011, when he suffered a knee injury and his recovery was slowed by complications.

“Through training camp, we got a chance to see him run," Payton said. “He finally got some touches in a regular-season game against Washington (11 carries, 46 yards). He’s competitive, he’s tough, he’s been in that spotlight and I think that, for him, it’s the confidence that the injury and the leg is 100 percent. I’m excited to see him play just like I am with C.J. It’ll be a good opportunity.”

Said Brees: “You hate to lose guys that mean so much to your offense, but it’s the next man up mentality and Tim Hightower is a guy that has been looking for an opportunity for a while and he will get that, and C.J. Spiller as well and then Marcus Murphy.

It's interesting that Brees mentioned Hightower first when discussing the situation. Hightower may serve as the team's primary ball-carrier, but Spiller should see more carries as well, and may see an increased role in the passing game if he can earn the team's trust in pass protection. It's entirely possible that he fails to do so, and Hightower takes most of Ingram's snaps and touches.