The Saints placed Bush (chest) on injured reserve Tuesday, ESPN.com reports.

Bush's season is over due to the chest injury he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. With Jairus Byrd (knee) also injured, the Saints will turn to either Jamarca Sanford or Kenny Phillips at free safety for the time being.

Bush suffered a torn pectoral muscle during Sunday's season opener against the Cardinals, NFL.com reports.

Bush was promoted to the Saints' starting free safety position for Sunday's season opener in wake of teammate Jairus Byrd (knee) still being sidelined, but upon going down himself, Bush could now very well be sidelined for the remainder of this season given the extent of his injury. Knowing that grim outlook, the Saints re-signed safety Kenny Phillips on Monday, thus adding depth to an already depleted position.

Bush would be in line to start at safety for the Saints in Week 1 against the Cardinals if Jairius Byrd (knee) is unable to play, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Byrd did not take a single snap during training camp and has not practiced since June 17.

Details about Byrd have been scarce, but his health is reportedly "rapidly improving" and he should be seen "soon," according to a tweet by the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The Saints obviously think Byrd's health is on the mend, as they decided not to place him on regular season PUP list, which means he can return to practice at any point. Still, the timetable for Byrd's return isn't clear. The Saints will return to practice on Wednesday and also release their first injury report that day, which may shed some light on Byrd's status, but it can be presumed that safety Bush will be the Saints' Week 1 starter in Arizona.

Bush (leg) is a potential salary-cap casualty this offseason, reports the New Orleans Times-Picayune, as the Saints would save nearly $2 million by cutting him.

With the Saints having a glut of safeties and Bush's contract not guaranteed, there's a very good chance he could be playing elsewhere in 2015. For fantasy phurposes, Bush would likely be best served by moving on, as he has shown that he's capable of posting fantasy-relevant numbers in a starting role. In ten games in 2014, Bush managed 55 tackles (44 solo).

Bush was placed on injured reserve by the Saints on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports.

Bush's season will be effectively over, though it's unclear who the Saints will turn to as an immediate replacement. Pierre Warren -- who was signed of the Vikings' practice squad Tuesday -- is one potential candidate.

Bush said after Sunday's loss to the Bengals that he suffered a fractured tibia during the game, ESPN's Mike Triplett reports.

We don't yet have an estimated timetable for Bush's return, but a fractured leg could very well be season-ending this late in the campaign. If it is, Bush would become the third Saints safety to suffer a season-ending injury, joining Jairus Byrd and Vinnie Sunseri. Marcus Ball or Jamarca Sanford seem to be the most likely candidates to replace Bush.

Bush made seven tackles (six solo) in Sunday's loss to the 49ers.

Bush has quietly been a rock-solid replacement following Jairius Byrd's season-ending injury, as he now has 50 tackles on the season, with 33 of them coming over the last five weeks since . While he's yet to force a turnover or record a sack, Bush can continue to relied on as a decent source of tackles from his defensive back position in IDP leagues.

Bush made five tackles (all solo) in Sunday's loss to the Lions.

That makes three straight weeks that Bush has recorded five tackles, as he does an admirable job filling in for the injured Jairius Byrd. Bush may not offer Byrd's upside in the turnover department, but he's a reliable option for IDP owners in need of help at defensive back.

With the news that Jairius Byrd has been placed on season-ending IR, Bush is expected to start at free safety for the Saints.

Through the first four games of the season, Bush has seen a fair amount of playing time in three-safety sets, recording 17 tackles (15 solo). While he's unlikely to match Byrd's upside for forcing turnovers, Bush has proven capable of handling starting duties in a pinch - including a career-high 11 tackles last October starting in place of an injured Roman Harper. He should on the IDP radar for fantasy owners in need of defensive back help.

Saints re-signed S Rafael Bush to a two-year, $4.5 million contract.

Bush was a restricted free agent. The offer was actually Atlanta's, but the Saints decided to match. Bush likely would have been a starter in Atlanta, but returns as the Saints' No. 3 safety behind Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro. Bush was solid in a similar role last season, making 42 tackles while excelling in coverage. He played 520 snaps. The Saints aren't resting on their defensive laurels after Rob Ryan resuscitated a moribund unit in 2013.

Restricted free agent S Rafael Bush signed an offer sheet with the Falcons.

The Saints have until April 8 to match. A former undrafted free agent, Bush was tendered at the original-round level. That means the Saints won't be entitled to draft-pick compensation if they decline to match. Bush was the Saints' No. 3/4 safety in 2013, and would be returning as such this season.

Saints extended original-pick tender to restricted free agent S Rafael Bush.

That's the "low" tender of $1.431 million. Bush was an undrafted free agent, so the Saints won't be entitled to compensation if they let Bush walk. The Saints' No. 3 safety last season, Bush's return is important with Malcolm Jenkins potentially moving on in free agency.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports the Saints have engaged in preliminary contract talks with restricted free agents S Rafael Bush and WR Joe Morgan.

That's in addition to free agents Zach Strief and Parys Haralson. The "low" RFA tender is $1.39 million. The Saints' No. 3 safety last season, Bush played 520 snaps, grading out positively in Pro Football Focus' ratings.

Saints re-signed S Rafael Bush.

Bush broke the news on his Twitter account. He was an exclusive rights free agent. Bush was a special teams linchpin last season, while also contributing an interception on defense. He'll serve in a similar role in 2013.

Saints claimed S Rafael Bush off waivers from the Broncos.

An undrafted free agent out of South Carolina State in 2010, Bush appeared in six games for the Broncos last season, making three tackles. He'll begin the year on special teams in New Orleans.

Broncos signed S Rafael Bush off the Falcons practice squad.

Falcons promoted S Rafael Bush from their practice squad.

Bush, 23, ran a 4.44 forty at South Carolina State's Pro Day before going undrafted in April. He'll take Shann Schillinger's place on special teams.