New Orleans Saints defensive back Keenan Lewis will be out 4-6 weeks after having hip surgery on Tuesday, according to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Lewis, like most of the rest of the Saints defense, struggled last season, but he had played at a high level in both 2012 and 2013 and is generally considered one of their better defensive backs. He's not the first member of the New Orleans secondary to suffer an injury this offseason, either.
Third-round draft pick P.J. Williams was placed on Injured Reserve, while second-year safety Vinnie Sunseri was waived/injured. Starting safety Jairus Byrd, who missed much of last season after signing a massive contract and struggling early on, may wind up starting the year on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Starters Brandon Browner and Kenny Vaccaro have each missed time in camp due to (apparently less significant) injuries of their own as well.
Lewis was likely to begin the season as one of the Saints' starting corners, opposite Browner. Without him in the lineup, Delvin Breaux, Stanley Jean-Baptiste and Jets castoff Kyle Wilson seem to be next in line for more snaps. New Orleans opens the season with games against the Cardinals, Bucs, Panthers, Cowboys, Eagles and Falcons. A 4-6 week timetable would have Lewis returning sometime toward the back end of that stretch.