Alvin Kamara will be game-time decision for Saints
The New Orleans Saints kept their season alive with a big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which has set them up with a chance to win the NFC South and make the playoffs in Week 18.They obviously have to beat the Atlanta Falcons in order for that to happen and then they'll need some […]
The New Orleans Saints kept their season alive with a big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which has set them up with a chance to win the NFC South and make the playoffs in Week 18.
They obviously have to beat the Atlanta Falcons in order for that to happen and then they'll need some help. New Orleans also needs the Carolina Panthers to upset the Bucs. If that happens, they'll be NFCS champs for the first time since the 2020 season.
The Saints may have to try and beat the Falcons without star running back Alivn Kamara, however. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Kamara is a game-time decision after sitting out all week with an ankle sprain. Tight end Juwan Johnson, a key figure in last week's big win, is expected to play after being listed as questionable with a chest injury.
The Saints are in a tough spot
Do they play Kamara this week or rest him and cross their fingers they can still get a win against the Falcons? Aggravating/furthering the injury and then missing the Wild Card Round would be a worse situation than missing the season finale.
Another factor is the fact the Saints don't have much at running back behind Kamara. Jamaal Williams, a 1,000-yard rusher that led the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns in 2022, has not been very productive when he's been called on and rookie Kendre Miller is currently questionable with an ankle/illness issue. He was a limited practice participant on Wednesday and Thursday before getting downgraded to a non-participant on Friday.
James Robinson and Jordan Mims are both on the practice squad, so one or both will likely get called up if Kamara can't go. Robinson looked like he could be a consistent starter after a strong rookie season, but has bounced around the league ever since he tore his ACL.
The game starts at 1pm ET, therefore inactives have to be out by 11:30am ET, at the latest. In other words: We'll get our answer on Kamara, soon enough.
