Saints' Dannell Ellerbe: Starts in season debut

Ellerbe (quadriceps) made five tackles (four solo) Sunday against the Seahawks.

Analysis:

Ellerbe has been sidelined all year with a nagging quad injury, but he made his season debut in Week 8. While he was immediately thrust into the starting lineup, he actually only played 18 snaps (33 percent) against Seattle, according to Josh Katzenstein of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Ellerbe is perpetually an injury risk, but he is also an extremely athletic linebacker and managed 39 tackles (34 solo) in just six games last season, including a 13-tackle performance against Atlanta last October. Assuming he doesn't suffer a setback and his playing time continues to creep upward, Ellerbe could be a sneaky IDP option in the second half of the season.