Saints' Tim Hightower: More carries expected

Hightower has earned more carries as the Saints prepare for Sunday's game against the 49ers, ESPN's Britt McHenry reports.

Analysis:

Hightower finished with 102 yards on 26 carries against the vaunted Seahawks defense after teammate Mark Ingram was pulled for another fumble Sunday. That workload greatly exceeded Hightower's previous season high of five carries, which came in New Orleans' prior game amid Ingram fumbling as well. Two strong relief showings have boosted the 30-year-old Hightower's average to 4.2 yards per rush, so getting him the ball more is reportedly part of New Orleans' Week 9 game plan. That being said, the Saints' backfield figures to continue to deploy a committee approach, which, along with their offense's penchant for passing, should probably temper Hightower's heightened expectations.