Saints RB Tim Hightower had that "look in his eye" again

New Orleans Saints 2013 MIX [HD]

Mike Triplett, ESPN Staff Writer

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• Covered Saints for eight years at New Orleans Times-Picayune
• Previously covered LSU football, San Francisco 49ers
• Iowa native and University of Iowa graduate

It took three years, but Tim Hightower was back on a NFL field Thursday night. And New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton liked what he saw from the veteran running back, who is attempting a comeback at age 29.

"I liked the look in his eye pregame, and I liked it during the game. I thought it was really good," Payton said of Hightower, who ran the ball 12 times for 31 yards and caught one pass for 10 yards.

There were a handful of negative runs mixed in. But Hightower did break loose for runs of 11, 10 and 7 yards -- plus a 13-yarder that was called back via holding.

More than anything, he was just happy to be back to work -- as he hinted when he responded to Paytons quote via Twitter:

When you"ve got something on your mind bigger than yourself.... Thanks coach https://t.co/Kr2CnyFHvb

Tim Hightower (@Tim_Hightower) August 14, 2015

"It felt awesome," said Hightower, whose promising career that began with the Arizona Cardinals and Washington Redskins was waylaid by a torn ACL in 2011 and a lingering infection that wasnt identified by doctors for years.

"A lot of work has gone into getting back and just having the opportunity to do this again, to play the game I love, and to be able to do it in a game situation. Its a true blessing. It meant a lot to be out there," Hightower said. "I just wanted to come in here and put a good first foot forward. Im sure therell be a lot of critiquing, a lot of things I can improve on. Mainly Im just thankful for that first good step."

Hightower still remains firmly on the roster "bubble," though, because of New Orleans depth at running back, led by Mark Ingram, C.J. Spiller and Khiry Robinson.

Robinson had an outstanding performance with the second-string offense Thursday night, highlighted by a 21-yard touchdown reception and a 29-yard run.

But even if the Saints dont decide to keep Hightower as a fourth running back, there are plenty of other teams that dont have the same kind of depth -- especially once injuries creep up. And for the first time in three years, Hightower is getting a chance to show all of them what he can do again.

Source: http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/174498/saints-rb-tim-hightower-had-that-look-in-his-eye-again