(Michael DeMocker)
Craig Robertson was the only New Orleans Saints linebacker to play more than 50 percent of the defense's snaps in 2016, playing 92 percent as he started the year on the weak side and then moved to the middle.
Injuries were one factor for the unit. Dannell Ellerbe, the top weak-side linebacker, missed seven games with a quad injury, so he played just 42 percent. James Laurinaitis was at 100 percent through three games, but a quad injury as well as poor play led to his release.
Ultimately, though, whether looking at other options like Nate Stupar or Stephone Anthony, the Saints coaches chose to rarely use defensive packages with three linebackers.