Rob Ryan has said that it is "tough" for the New Orleans Saints to be without Kenny Vaccaro for the rest of the 2013 NFL season.

The rookie safety broke his ankle during the NFC South side's 17-13 defeat to the Carolina Panthers last weekend.

The team's defensive coordinator told reporters: "It's a tough loss, no question. Kenny is a hell of a football player. We have real good players around him that have to step up and have to break that job up.

"He was doing multiple jobs so we have to break it up and give different guys different roles. Bottom line is, whatever it is we have to be great on Sunday that is for sure."

Vaccaro made 79 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception in his first season in the NFL.