SEATTLE — As he was dragged to the ground, Justin Reid ’s helmet came flying off. And then came the pain.

Teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry reflexively kicked his leg, making direct contact with the New Orleans Saints safety’s head.

“It feels like I got hit in the face,” Reid said. “Literally and figuratively.”

Reid couldn’t have said it any better. When the safety got hurt in Sunday’s brutal 44-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Saints (0-3) were down by two touchdowns and about to trail by a third — with still four-plus minutes remaining in the first quarter. It was appropriate that the blow was the result of friendly fire — the Saints had been kicking themselves all day.

All that was missing was a yellow flag, and the play would have been a perfect encapsulation of the Saints’ season

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