Mark Ingram to remain lead back even if Saints sign Adrian Peterson?

Mark Ingram may not have to sleep with one eye open after all.

According to New Orleans Saints beat writer Nick Underhill of The New Orleans Advocate on Monday, Ingram would remain the team’s lead running back even if they sign free agent Adrian Peterson.

Ingram would be the lead back. Peterson would be his backup. The Saints ran the ball 404 times last year. https://t.co/7Hr7tF80K4

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) April 24, 2017

Ingram, 27, earned 205 of those 404 carries last season, rushing for 1,043 yards and six touchdowns. We heard earlier in the day that the Saints had already begun negotiating a contract with the 32-year-old Peterson. But Ingram has clear edges over Peterson in at least age, health, pass-catching, and pass protection, so it makes sense for New Orleans to maintain their backfield pecking order regardless of what happens.