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Running back Mark Ingram is suspended for the first four games of the 2018 season for performance-enhancing drugs, the league announced Tuesday.

Ingram will be eligible to return to the Saints' active roster on Monday, October 1 following the team's September 30 game against the New York Giants.

As NFL.com's Chris Wesseling notes, unseating Atlanta's Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman as the NFL's most productive and well-rounded backfield tandem, Ingram and Alvin Kamara combined for more than 3,000 yards from scrimmage and 25 touchdowns last year.

Unlike previous iterations in New Orleans, there's no telegraphing of plays due to niche skill sets. A tackle-breaking inside runner, Ingram has improved his receiving ability enough to remain in the game on key passing downs. Although it's hard to find a bigger mismatch than Kamara in the receiving game, he's also a strong enough runner to move the chains against base defenses on early downs.

And it looks very much like he'll get ample opportunity to do that over the first month of the season with Ingram out.

Of course, losing a quarter season of production is going to mean a hit on Ingram's ADP -- and likely solidify Kamara's status as a high-end first rounder for fantasy purposes.

That said, don't bail on Ingram. There's something to be said for a running back joining the fray with fresh legs in October.

Other backs who might chip in for the Saints during Ingram's absence include rookie sixth-round pick Boston Scott, Trey Edmunds, Jonathan Williams and Daniel Lasco.