A nine-year veteran, Evans underwent surgery Thursday with Dr. James Andrews performing the operation. Evans, who joined the Saints this spring in free agency, had made quite an impact in the locker room and on the field.

"That's tough," Brees said of Evans' loss. "Heath was not only a real productive player, but he's an awesome guy ... an awesome locker room guy.

"He's great for that running backs room, which is really full of some pretty young players," he said. "I think Heath was just a real good influence on everybody, just a solid guy. So you miss him for a lot of reasons."

Evans was an effective blocker for the Saints , who rank third in the NFL with 154.5 rushing yards per game, but he also scored three touchdowns - two receiving and one rushing - in catching 10 passes for 70 yards and gaining 16 yards on five carries.

"He's a guy that to date has really played well for us - in the running game and passing game," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "So you never like to lose a starter."

Saints sign Eckel

To fill Evans' spot on the 53-man roster, the Saints signed former New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles fullback Kyle Eckel.

Eckel, a 5-foot-11, 237-pounder, was brought in for a workout on Tuesday along with Darian Barnes, who played in four games with the Saints last season.

The Saints eventually signed Eckel, who, like Evans, is an athletic fullback. In 17 games with the Patriots and Eagles the last two years, he rushed for 169 yards on 57 carries with two TDs. He was a teammate of Evans with the Patriots in 2007.

"I'm excited," Eckel said. "I hope I can contribute like Heath did. I know him well."

Injury report

Payton said defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, who sprained his right knee against the Dolphins, did not practice Thursday and his status for Monday night's game with the Atlanta Falcons is unknown.

"The swelling is down and it's better, but we wouldn't know anything until later in the week," Payton said. "I'm somewhat guarded as to the progress he's making."

Payton, however, said strongside linebacker Scott Fujita was making "a lot of progress" after sitting out Sunday's game with a strained left calf.

Tight end Jeremy Shockey (shoulder) was limited in practice, while cornerbacks Malcolm Jenkins (ankle) and Leigh Torrence (hamstring) worked fully after missing Sunday's game.

For the Falcons, running backs Jerious Norwood (hip) and Jason Snelling (hamstring) did not practice, while defensive end John Abraham (foot) and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (ankle) were limited.

Martz likes Saints

Former St Louis Rams coach Mike Martz said Thursday on ESPN Radio St. Louis that the undefeated Saints bear a lot of similarities to the "Greatest Show on Turf" he directed in 2000.

"The quarterback is obviously a great player; he can get the ball out quick," said Martz, who praised the creativity and play calling of Payton.

"I think they do so much that's really hard to defend because they have the quick step, the deep drop, the hard play-actions.

"They formation, they do all those things so well. I think there's a lot of similarities that I like to think we did as well. They don't have Marshall Faulk ... they just don't have him, and that is probably the single-most difference."

Martz went on to predict the Saints will reach Super Bowl XLIV.

"They're going to score a lot of points and I do believe they'll be in the Super Bowl," he said. "They have a real chance of doing that, and that would be my pick."

Hall of Fame induction set

The 21st annual Saints Hall of Fame induction luncheon will be held at noon Nov. 6 at the Best Western Landmark Hotel in Metairie.

Former Saints kicker Morten Andersen will become the latest inductee into the Hall of Fame, while longtime public address announcer Jerry Romig will receive the Fleur de Lis Award for his contributions to the team.

Tickets are priced at $40 and can be purchased through TicketMaster or at http://www.

neworleanssaints.com.

Gleason to appear

Former Saints special teams standout Steve Gleason will meet and greet fans at the Saints Hall of Fame Museum, which is located on the Plaza level near Gate B of the Superdome from 5:30-6:45 p.m. Monday.