METAIRIE, La. -- Cornerback Keenan Lewis' disappointing, injury-plagued season came to an end Thursday when the New Orleans Saints placed him on injured reserve.

Lewis wound up playing in only six games with zero starts because of a preseason sports hernia, then a Week 10 knee injury.

Those injuries proved painful for the Saints' defense, as well. Lewis, 29, was arguably New Orleans' defensive MVP over the past two seasons. But without him at full strength this year, the Saints' depth in the secondary suffered.

They rank 32nd in the NFL in yards allowed and points allowed. And they are on pace to allow the highest opponents' passer rating in NFL history (116.5). New Orleans has allowed 28 touchdown passes with only four interceptions.

There was originally hope that Lewis might return from the knee injury in December. Lewis said after the Week 10 game at Washington that the initial diagnosis was a MCL issue, and coach Sean Payton said a day later that the team was fortunate Lewis' injury wasn't more serious.

It's unclear if the diagnosis changed or if the Saints just felt like there wasn't enough time left in the season to wait with only six weeks remaining.

The Saints signed veteran cornerback Chris Owens for added depth Wednesday.

Lewis expressed his disappointment and frustration with how this season has gone for him following that loss to the Redskins.

"I'm just tired of these injuries. They're killing me," Lewis said. "But I'm a strong individual. I'll find a way. It is tough when you think you're back on track and then you get something like this. ...

"The stuff I've dealt with this whole season, I guess it's just one of them years where you're trying to fight for your team, but your body just don't allow you to. It's just tough, man. I'm trying to get out of this slump that I'm in, body-wise."

Lewis has two years remaining on his contract beyond this season, and most of it is guaranteed after he pushed for the Saints to guarantee the remainder of his deal this past offseason. Getting him back in peak form would be a great start as the Saints try to rebuild their defense in 2016.