Source – Paulson Adebo of the Saints is out for the season after undergoing surgery

NEW ORLEANS – Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo faces a four- to five-month recovery period after undergoing surgery to repair his broken femur early Friday morning, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Adebo is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year on March 12.

He broke his femur while trying to help a teammate with a tackle midway through the second quarter of the Saints' 33-10 loss to the Denver Broncos. Adebo grabbed his leg as he hit the ground, prompting medical staff to put him in a vacuum cast after an examination. He was put on a cart and driven away.

Rookie cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, a second-round pick this year, took Adebo's place. McKinstry will likely start the remainder of the season.

Adebo is the second Saints player to undergo season-ending surgery this week. Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, who is also an All-Pro kick returner, underwent surgery Thursday to repair his meniscus and will not return this season.

The Saints are currently playing without a number of significant players, including quarterback Derek Carr (oblique), tight end Taysom Hill (rib), wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion), linebacker Pete Werner (hamstring) and three starting offensive linemen.

Saints coach Dennis Allen said the injuries and the possibility of them being demoralizing are something the team will have to overcome.

“It certainly can be, and it's something we have to get through,” Allen said. “The difficult thing about our business is seeing things like that. It can be difficult.”