METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints' last-second loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday proved even costlier than it seemed.
Starting defensive end Marcus Davenport will have season-ending foot surgery after being injured in the second half against the 49ers. Sheldon Rankins, another key member of the defensive line rotation, also has been lost for the remainder of the season following an ankle injury in the 48-46 defeat.
Both players have been placed on injured reserve.
The Saints have signed veteran defensive end Noah Spence as a replacement for Davenport.