METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis says the club has traded an undisclosed draft choice to Seattle for veteran linebacker Barrett Ruud.

The acquisition of Ruud, who is heading into his eighth NFL season, comes on the heels of injuries to three of the Saints' top linebackers.

Saints starting middle linebacker Curtis Lofton has a high ankle sprain and starting weak side linebacker David Hawthorne underwent arthroscopic surgery on Monday to repair his meniscus, which he apparently tore during Friday night's preseason game against Jacksonville. Also injured against Jacksonville was top reserve linebacker Chris Chamberlain, who is out for the season with a torn left knee ligament.

Ruud played six seasons in Tampa Bay and one in Tennessee before signing with Seattle last April.