The New Orleans Saints restructured another contract on Tuesday, converting some of running back Mark Ingram's base salary into a signing bonus. They now have $3.6 million in salary-cap space, according to the NFL Players Association – a total that includes all of their latest deals.

Ingram’s restructure didn’t include any pay cut or new money. It was a standard restructure, just like the deals New Orleans did with defensive end Cameron Jordan and punter Thomas Morstead a day earlier.

The Saints were able to restructure running back Mark Ingram's contract to create more space under the salary cap. Derick E. Hingle/USA Today Sports

The Saints created $1.49 million in cap space for 2016 by converting $2.235 million of Ingram’s $3 million salary into a signing bonus. They still will have to account for that $1.49 million in the future, but now it will be spread out evenly over the life of Ingram’s contract through 2018.

The Saints have been busy carving out cap space in recent days, including the unique way they structured Nick Fairley’s one-year, $3 million contract as a three-year deal that will void in February.

That way, they could keep his 2016 cap cost low at $1.51 million – though the bills will come due for all of these deals in future years.

The Saints now have plenty of breathing room under the cap, even before the anticipated extension of quarterback Drew Brees’ contract, which is expected to happen at some point this offseason. Plus, the Saints are scheduled to get another $2.25 million in cap space after cornerback Brandon Browner comes off the books on June 1.

That means the Saints can afford to add one or two veterans in free agency – possibly re-signing running back Tim Hightower. They could still use a veteran guard, among other needs.

Pass rusher remains the Saints’ No. 1 need, though coach Sean Payton indicated recently that they might pursue that need in the draft.