When the New Orleans Saints try to slow down Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner on Monday night, they will have to do it without defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis.

Ellis sprained his medial collateral ligament during the Saints' win last week over the Miami Dolphins and is now expected to miss four to six weeks, according to a team source.

No surgery is planned for Ellis, and he is hoping and trying to come back even sooner. But doctors initially told Ellis that he could expect to miss four to six weeks, which is a blow to the Saints' defense.

With Ellis sidelined, New Orleans will have to lean more on his backup, Anthony Hargrove.

Adam Schefter is an ESPN NFL Insider.