The New Orleans Saints will be without two defensive starters Sunday, Nov. 19, with linebacker A.J. Klein and safety Kenny Vaccaro being inactive against Washington as New Orleans attempts to win its eighth consecutive game.

Klein will miss his first game, and Vaccaro his second in a row, for a defense that entered Sunday ranked No. 8 in total defense (312.3 yards per game allowed) and No. 5 in scoring defense (18.3 points per game).

Klein, who has 41 tackles and four passes defensed this season, injured his left ankle in the Saints' 47-10 victory over Buffalo last Sunday, and Vaccaro injured his groin against Chicago two weeks ago. As game-day active replacements, that means safety Rafael Bush again will be in the rotation, and the Saints brought up linebacker Adam Bighill from the practice squad. Bighill twice has been active this season. The Saints released Bryce Harris to make room for Bighill.

Likely, Craig Robertson and Manti Te'o will get the heaviest workload at linebacker with Klein being out. Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges are listed as the top backups behind them.

The remaining inactives are Taysom Hill (third quarterback), running back Jonathan Williams, center Cameron Tom, receiver Austin Carr and defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad.