Spiller gained ten yards on three carries and had negative eight yards on three receptions on four targets in Sunday's loss to the Eagles.

After hauling in the game-winning 80-yard catch in Week 4 against the Cowboys, Spiller was once again criminally underused, playing only 19 snaps, according to Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune. At this point it's difficult to identify the reasons why Spiller's usage has been so low, especially considering that the Saints were playing from behind for most of the second half on Sunday. With Drew Brees frequently under pressure and consistently finding his running backs in the passing game, there's still hope that Spiller can be a valuable fantasy commodity, particularly in PPR leagues, but there's been little evidence to support that will be the case. Up next is a Thursday night game against the Falcons.

Spiller caught an 80-yard touchdown pass on the second play of overtime in Sunday's 26-20 win over the Cowboys.

Spiller burnt one defender then broke a tackle, and it was off to the races from there. He otherwise had a quiet night, finishing with five catches for 99 yards and a touchdown on five targets, with another 10 yards on just two carries. Mark Ingram was once again a big part of the passing game, catching six balls for 51 yards on seven targets, in addition to his 17 carries for 77 yards. Ingram led the way with 41 snaps in regulation, followed by Spiller's 20 and Khiry Robinson's 10, according to Pro Football Focus. Although the split could work more in Spiller's favor when the Saints have to play catch-up, Ingram's improved pass-catching ability still seems to put a pretty low ceiling on Spiller's volume.

Saints head coach Sean Payton said he needs to get Spiller more touches, Mike Triplett of ESPN reports.

Spiller has just four carries and three catches through two games, working behind Mark Ingram in an offense that also deploys Khiry Robinson at times. The Saints will likely try to get Spiller more touches, but Ingram has been surprisingly effective as a receiver, and the New Orleans offense as a whole has been highly disappointing. Pre-season expectations for Spiller should be adjusted, if they haven't been already.

Spiller rushed once for four yards and had two catches on two targets for 22 receiving yards Sunday against the Panthers.

Spiller was limited to just seven snaps in Week 2, his first game this season after missing the opener with a knee injury, but he finished with six fewer carries than backup Khiry Robinson on Sunday, while starter Mark Ingram rushed 14 times for 50 yards and a touchdown while also catching all five of his targets for 49 receiving yards. Ingram looks to have a firm hold on the majority of touches out of the backfield, leaving few opportunities for Spiller to make much of a fantasy impact.

Spiller (knee) was limited to only seven snaps in his return from a knee injury, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune. He had three carries for seven yards and one catch for 19 yards in Sunday's loss to the Buccaneers.

It's not totally surprising that Spiller was one a "pitch count" in Week 2, following his return from arthroscopic knee surgery this preseason. Still, with quarterback Drew Brees completing another five passes to his running backs, after completing 15 such throws the week before, Spiller can be expected to see plenty of looks once he is no longer limited by injury, which makes him worthy of starting consideration in many fantasy leagues, in particular PPR formats.

Spiller (knee) rushed three times for seven yards and had one catch on one target for 19 receiving yards Sunday against the Bucs.

Spiller did not play in the regular-season opener as he finished up his recovery from mid-August knee surgery, and while he was active for the game, he was always expected to be on a snap count. Because of that, his fantasy upside was always going to be limited, and with the Saints' offensive line struggling to protect quarterback Drew Brees, there was little Spiller could contribute. Mark Ingram, who had 16 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown, is expected to continue to get a majority of the carries, leaving Spiller few opportunities to make an impact each week.

Spiller (knee) is listed as active Sunday against the Buccaneers, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Active status likely won't equate to a significant role in Spiller's case, as all those close to the Saints predict limited reps in his debut with the team. If he's indeed used primarily as a red-zone threat, according to Katherine Terrell of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, Spiller could validate his presence with a visit to the end zone. However, his lack of snaps doesn't leave much room for error.

Spiller (knee), who is officially listed as questionable, will likely play in Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, but he may be limited to red-zone work, according to Katherine Terrell of the New Orleans Times Picayune.

This is merely one beat writer's opinion, but she did say that she "strongly thinks" Spiller will play, albeit in a limited role. Another one of the Saints' beat writers, ESPN's Mike Triplett, also believes Spiller will play, although Triplett said it's no sure thing. Spiller and Saints head coach Sean Payton hinted at a similar outlook, expressing optimism but no guarantees. Fortunately for Spiller's owners, the Saints and Bucs have a 1 PM ET kickoff, allowing for plenty of alternatives if he's inactive. Of course, those alternatives may be worth a look even if Spiller plays, as it sounds like he'll be eased into the offense.

Spiller (knee) was again limited at practice Thursday, Jenna Laine of Sports Talk 1040 reports.

In his first face-to-face meeting with the media since undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Aug. 14, Spiller relayed that his availability for Week 2 remains in question, but he's "definitely getting there," according to Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. Spiller's statement jibes with that of head coach Sean Payton, who said "we'll see" regarding his potential to play Sunday against the Buccaneers. The tone from everyone associated with the Saints seem to intimate that Spiller would likely be limited, if he was deemed active, which hampers his potential to produce up to his standard when healthy.

With regard to Spiller's (knee) potential availability for Sunday's game against the Bucs, coach Sean Payton said, "we'll see," Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports. Spiller, who is bouncing back from arthroscopic knee surgery, practiced on a limited basis Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Triplett suggests that the "best guess here is that Spiller will play Sunday, but it's not a sure thing." In any case, while Payton relays that Spiller is "up to speed" at this point, Triplett puts forth the notion that if Spiller does end up suiting it, it's plausible that he could be limited, a potential scenario that would make the running back a speculative play this weekend.

Spiller (knee) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, the Saints' official site reports.

Spiller is reaching the final stages of his recovery from Aug. 14 arthroscopic knee surgery. With practice now a part of his daily regimen, he can focus on building up his conditioning, but it remains to be seen if he'll gain the confidence of head coach Sean Peyton and suit up Sunday against the Buccaneers.

Spiller (knee) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's regular-season opener in Arizona, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Spiller's absence has been assumed for the last few days, leaving Khiry Robinson to serve as the No. 2 running back in Sunday's opener against the Cardinals. Mark Ingram could also benefit from some extra snaps and touches, as the Saints don't have another running back who's similar to Spiller. The former Bill may have a shot to return for Week 2 against the Buccaneers.

Spiller (knee) didn't take part in practice Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Spiller's absence isn't a shock, as he's expected to take a seat Sunday at Arizona. Instead, he'll continue his rehab from arthroscopic knee surgery performed on Aug. 14. With Spiller almost assuredly out in Week 1, Khiry Robinson is in line to act as Mark Ingram's primary backup.

Spiller (knee) is expected to miss the Saints' Week 1 game against the Cardinals, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Spiller missed the entire preseason while recovering from a minor arthroscopic knee procedure, and is still on the mend as the Saints begin their preparation for the regular season. It's expected that Spiller will be fully healed in time for the Saints' Week 2 matchup, but it remains to be seen how large of a role he'll fill in the team's game plan. He's currently behind Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson on the depth chart.

Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times-Picayune suggests that Spiller (knee) and Khiry Robinson may not be ready to play in the Saints' regular season opener.

Supporting such a notion is that the Saints' post-cut 53-man roster includes five running backs, with Spiller's status thus work monitoring closely in advance of Week 1. Spiller underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Aug. 14 and at the time, it was expected that he'd be ready for Week 1. Such an outcome is evidently no longer a lock.

Spiller has arthroscopic knee surgery performed Friday, but the expectation is a return for Week 1 of the regular season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Spiller was sidelined with an undisclosed ailment in the build-up to the Saints' first preseason game Thursday, and the team will now be without its change-of-pace option for the remaining three exhibitions. His absence will open the door for Khiry Robinson and Tim Hightower to solidify spots on the 53-man roster, with an opportunity to affect the regular season opener if Spiller's recovery doesn't proceed as planned.

Spiller (undisclosed) did not play in the Saints' preseason opener against the Ravens on Thursday.

Spiller missed Tuesday's practice, so it was not surprising to see the Saints play it safe in the first exhibition with their newest offensive weapon. There has been no indication that Spiller's injury is serious, but monitor practice reports over the next week just in case.

Spiller (undisclosed) missed Tuesday's practice and may be held out of Thursday's preseason opener against the Ravens, the New Orleans Advocate reports.

Although there's been no indication that Spiller's injury is serious, he didn't practice Monday or Tuesday. According to ESPN.com, he's only listed third on the Saints' initial depth chart, even though he's expected to get most of the work on passing downs. Khiry Robinson, who is second on the depth chart, will likely serve as Mark Ingram's top backup for early downs. If Spiller's injury unexpectedly lingers, Tim Hightower could get a shot at the passing-down role.

Saints head coach Sean Payton said he wants to get the ball to Spiller in space, whether the running back is in the backfield or flexed out, the Saints' official website reports.

Mark Ingram is going to get most of the carries, but Pierre Thomas and Travaris Cadet -- neither of whom is still with the Saints -- both topped 50 targets last season, combining to catch 83 passes for 674 yards and two touchdowns on 106 targets. Spiller should thus have every opportunity to rank among the league's RB leaders in receptions, as his team context has vastly improved. In addition to a coaching staff that figures to appropriately utilize his skill set, Spiller should benefit from working with a better quarterback and offensive line.

Spiller has reached an agreement to sign with the Saints, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Spiller will join a backfield that already includes Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson, which could make carries somewhat hard to come by. However, with Pierre Thomas recently being released, the Saints were unsurprisingly in the market for a pass-catching back. If he can put his injury issues behind him, Spiller could prove to be an upgrade on Thomas in that role, offering breakaway speed to go with the strong receiving skills. It's an interesting landing spot for Spiller, as the Saints already have a lead back in Ingram but have long made heavy use of their backfield through the air. The gap between Spiller's value in PPR and standard leagues will be significant.