The hits just keep coming for the New Orleans Saints. Starting middle linebacker Alex Anzalone was placed on the injured reserve list Monday afternoon, possibly ending his season. Field Yates of ESPN first reported Anzalone’s condition, though Ian Rapoport of NFL Network added that Anzalone may be able to return to the active roster later this year.

Back in 2017, the NFL amended its injured reserve rules to allow teams to bring back two different players from the reserve list after spending eight weeks on the sidelines. They have six weeks to rest from the date of landing on I.R., and then a two-week window in which to return to practice before they can be reactivated. Considering the uncertain status of Saints quarterback Drew Brees, this could end up boding well for New Orleans.

Anzalone played only 18 snaps on defense and five on special teams against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. He had not been listed on the injury report going into the game despite having missed much of training camp and several preseason games with an undisclosed ailment, so either his condition flared up against L.A. or he suffered a separate injury. It has not yet been announced what he is dealing with.

In his place, the Saints will likely promote linebacker Kiko Alonso, who they acquired in a last-minute trade with the Miami Dolphins before the start of the regular season. Alonso has experience at both middle and weakside linebacker, which should help round out the three-man rotation the Saints use between Anzalone, Demario Davis, and A.J. Klein. Alonso took the field on four defensive snaps and two special teams plays against the Rams, though he led the Dolphins in total snaps played a year ago.