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Saints confuse Lynn Bowden for Mark Ingram in official game program

Jack PIlgrimby:Jack Pilgrim08/16/23
NFL: Preseason-Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints
Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Lynn Bowden (84) looks on against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Saints are doing Lynn Bowden Jr. no favors as he fights to earn a roster spot ahead of the 53-man cutdown deadline on August 29. They can’t even tell the former Kentucky superstar apart from three-time NFL Pro Bowl running back Mark Ingram II.

The Heisman Trophy winner out of Alabama suited up for the Saints from 2011-18, then again to close out his career in 2021-22. Beloved in New Orleans, he rushed for a total of 6,500 yards with 52 touchdowns on 1,451 carries while adding 1,804 receiving yards and five scores through the air across ten seasons with the franchise.

Replaced in the game program

Maybe it’s a joke or simply a nod to the Saints’ all-time leader in rushing yardage. Or maybe it’s a slip-up by the media relations team. Either way, Ingram was included in New Orleans’ game program ahead of its preseason matchup vs. the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

The former Pro Bowl running back’s photo replaced Bowden’s on the complete roster rundown.

Ingram himself caught wind of the gaffe (or intentional gesture) and said his services were available if the Saints were looking for help.

“Aye all they gotta do is call!!” the free agent back wrote on social media. “They know my cell.”

“(Crazy) how they did me,” Bowden responded.

Either way, they did our guy Lynn Bowden Jr. dirty.

As for the former Wildcat himself, he made his mark in the preseason opener on special teams, returning two punts for 30 yards and one kickoff for 20. His biggest highlight came on a juke-filled 22-yard punt return in the third quarter.

He also caught one ball for three yards on three targets while adding a tackle.

Signing with New Orleans on June 15, Bowden is currently listed as a second-string wide receiver, but is expected to be among the final pieces fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster.

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Bowden’s path to New Orleans

How did he get there? He was released by the New England Patriots in May after spending the entire 2022 season with the franchise. Bowden was with the practice squad most of the year, but elevated to the active roster in Week 9 vs. the Indianapolis Colts. He would play 14 total snaps.

Bowden was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round (No. 80 overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was then traded to the Miami Dolphins that September and played in 10 games with four starts. There, he caught 28 passes for 211 yards to go with nine rushing attempts for 32 yards.

His slow start in the NFL came after a record-breaking career at Kentucky. Bowden racked up an absurd 2,833 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns over three seasons, including 1,530 rushing and 1,303 receiving. Taking over as Kentucky’s starting quarterback in 2019, he led the Wildcats with 1,468 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground to go with 403 yards and three touchdowns through the air. After going 6-2 as the team’s starter, Bowden took home the Paul Hornung Award, given each year to college football’s most versatile player.

Now he’s hoping to break through in the NFL with the Saints. Or get his picture in the next game program, at minimum.

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