NEW ORLEANS -- The hits keep coming for the New Orleans Saints.
Starting nose tackle Brodrick Bunkley is believed to have suffered a torn quad in Monday night's 27-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, pending an MRI, according to a source. That follows the season-ending injuries to starting safety Rafael Bush and receiver Brandin Cooks last week.
Bunkley, 31, was having a decent season in his limited role while splitting time with backups John Jenkins and Brandon Deaderick. He had just 17 tackles and no sacks, but he was arguably the best interior run-stuffer for a defense that has started to struggle mightily against the run.
The Saints allowed a season-high 215 rushing yards to the Ravens on Monday night -- including 182 yards and two touchdowns by Justin Forsett -- in one of their worst defensive performances to date.
Now they'll be counting even more on second-year backup Jenkins, who has been inconsistent after a promising rookie season. The young big man (6-foot-3, 359 pounds) showed flashes of his potential earlier this season but struggled at times Monday.
Bunkley, a first-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006, has lived through his own share of ups and downs throughout his career. His best season came with the Denver Broncos in 2011, before he signed a lucrative deal with the Saints in 2012. Bunkley took a pay cut to remain in New Orleans this offseason.
The Saints (4-7) are still tied for first place in the NFC South despite having lost three straight games, all at home. Their defense ranks 27th in the NFL, having allowed 377.1 yards per game, after finishing fourth in that category last season.