Saints place starting linebacker A.J. Klein on injured reserve

The Saints have lost another starter on defense due to injury.

A.J. Klein was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, ending his first season with New Orleans.

Klein was inactive this past Sunday in the Saints’ win over the New York Jets due to a groin injury he suffered the previous week at Atlanta.

A key free agent signing by the Saints this past offseason, Klein posted career-highs with 54 tackles (37 solo), four passes defensed, two sacks and a forced fumble in 12 games.

Through 14 regular season games, New Orleans has lost the five-year veteran Klein and long with two other starters – rookie linebacker Alex Anzalone and defensive end Alex Okafor – to season-ending injuries.

Manti Te’o and Craig Robertson are the top two remaining linebackers for a Saints defense that often uses five defensive backs with three safeties on the field in their base alignments.