Mark Ingram plans return against Detroit Lions

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram has revealed that he plans to return from injury against the Detroit Lions in week 7.

Ingram sustained a fractured thumb last time out but he is confident that the bye week will give him enough time to make a recovery.

"My plan is to be back out there next week versus Detroit," he told NFL AM.

The 24-year-old leads the NFL with a per-carry average of 6.0 yards as he showed signs of a long-awaited breakout season prior to the injury.

Despite Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas combining for 5.2 yards per carry in his absence, the Saints offense has struggled to generate big plays consistently without Ingram.