Saints second-year DT Sedrick Ellis suffered a knee injury in last week's win over the Dolphins and it was believed he would miss at least a few games, including Monday's matchup with the Falcons. The amount of recovery time for Ellis' injury was unclear, but ESPN is reporting he's expected to miss the next 4-6 weeks with a MCL sprain.

The report indicates Ellis will not undergo surgery and he's hopeful that a return will come sooner than initially expected. The USC product missed three games last season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on a medial meniscus tear in the same knee.

Ellis' backup, Anthony Hargrove, will see additional playing time in Ellis' absence, but the team's defense could suffer without the run stuffer in Monday's game against Atlanta. Ellis has started all 19 games in which he has played since being drafted seventh overall in 2008.

The PFW spin

This injury will no doubt make the Saints more susceptible to giving up yards on the ground, and with the likes of Michael Turner, DeAngelo Williams and Steven Jackson set to take on New Orleans in its next three games, the loss of Ellis will hurt. Hargove is listed at 35 pounds less than Ellis and offensive lines will not need to double-team on Hargrove like they would on Ellis' 307-pound frame.

The Saints only have three other defensive tackles on the roster, so they could call up second-year veteran DeMario Pressley from the practice squad to add some depth at the position while Ellis is sidelined, but that would force the team to clear a roster spot for him by cutting someone. Head coach Sean Payton could waive No. 3 QB Chase Daniel again and hope that no other team picks him up, which is what happened when the Saints did that earlier this season.

Ellis' absence also will have an effect on the Saints' linebackers. With Ellis occupying blockers up front, MLB Jonathan Vilma and Co. haven't had to deal with many obstructions getting to them at the second level. They might face more interference as they try to flow to the ball to make a play with Hargrove up front. The Saints' pass rush should suffer less with Ellis out, as Hargrove has a nose for the quarterback and made two sacks last week vs. Miami. Ellis has one sack this season after making four as a rookie.

With the Falcons, Panthers, Rams and Buccaneers on the slate in the next four games, the Saints should be able to weather the storm with Ellis out. Atlanta and Carolina have the potential to give New Orleans problems, but the games against St. Louis and Tampa Bay are ones the Saints should have no trouble winning. Sitting out for those games would give Ellis about five weeks off before the Saints take on the Patriots in a Monday-night game Nov. 30.

Payton would most likely love to have him back for that matchup, but with the Saints playing as well as they are right now, there's no reason to hurry Ellis back before he's completely ready. It is concerning, though, that Ellis has sustained two injuries to the same knee in less than a season and a half.