METAIRIE, La. -- Injuries have done something to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson this season that few defenses have been able to manage.

They’re keeping Wilson corralled in the pocket, limiting his lethal ability to scramble and extend plays.

But New Orleans Saints defensive players insist they are still on high alert ahead of Seattle's Week 8 visit because they know how dangerous Wilson can be, even at less than 100 percent.

“I mean, he’s an All-Pro, Pro Bowl, elite-caliber quarterback that can make every pass, every read on the field,” said Saints defensive end Darryl Tapp, who faced Wilson last season while playing for the Detroit Lions. “So he may not be quote-unquote playing the way he normally plays. But he’s still uberly dangerous.”

Beset by a variety of injuries, Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is gaining just 1.3 yards per rush this season, well off his career average of 5.7. Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

Wilson has been banged up almost literally from head to toe, with knee, ankle and pectoral injuries.

Wilson has just 33 rushing yards on 22 carries this season after averaging better than 600 rushing yards in his first four seasons.

According to The Tacoma News Tribune, Seattle was second in the NFL in rushing at this time in 2016, and is 27th this season.

However, the Seahawks remain 4-1-1. They haven’t lost a game since Week 2, and Wilson hasn’t lost a turnover or been sacked more than twice since Week 1. Wilson is averaging 260 passing yards per game, with five touchdown passes and one interception.

“Obviously he’s injured. But I think he’s a great competitor. And I think he’s still gonna do what he needs to do when it’s necessary to make that hard, long third down, to make the big play,” Saints safety Kenny Vaccaro said. “So I don’t really look at the injuries, because I know the type of person he is, the type of player. So I think you prepare the same. To beat good quarterbacks, you gotta get pressure.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s Matt Ryan, doesn’t matter if it’s Russell Wilson, if you have legs, if you don’t have any legs. Pressure wins.”

Wilson, who led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory three years ago, has a career passer rating of 101.0, with a TD-interception ratio of better than 3-to-1 (111-to-35). He has thrown for 15,533 yards and has run for 2,463 yards and 12 touchdowns.

And he is 2-0 all-time against the Saints, with both victories coming in Seattle during the 2013 season (one in December, one in the playoffs).

“He’s very good. I think that he’s someone obviously that prepares. He’s real good with his location. I think his accuracy is outstanding,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “The No. 1 thing you’d say about a quarterback is that he is used to winning. That is the job description for that position. I think he has done a real good job of that.

“Whether he’s in the gun or under center, he presents a number of threats, and that is the challenge in preparing for this offense.”