New Orleans Saints concede that they may not be able to keep Mark Ingram

New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis has acknowledged that they may not be able to afford to keep Mark Ingram.

The running back is expected to hit the open market in the close-season and, although he wants to remain in New Orleans, the team's salary cap may hinder negotiations.

Loomis told The Times-Picayune: "Where we are cap-wise is going to dictate part of the structure for these deals. So it's all intertwined."

Ingram scored nine touchdowns in 13 games last season.