New Orleans

Saints

The Saints limp towards the end of the regular season in what has developed into a lost year after starting the season with the second most points scored through two games in league history. They will no trudge forward without the remaining two primary offensive pieces after losing Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Taysom Hill to injuries earlier this season. Wide receiver Bub Means was also ruled out by the team with an ankle injury while Marquez Valdes-Scantling is listed as questionable after failing to practice all week.

Valdes-Scantling is currently the Saints’ No. 1 WR so this is a concerning development. The volatile field stretcher has been absent through two Week 16 practices and is currently on the wrong side of questionable for Monday night.

Olave’s continued limited participation at least bodes positively for his overall health. Assuming he returns for his team’s Week 16 Monday Night Football matchup against the Packers is likely premature though. The Saints have handled his situation with an abundance of caution thus far.

Kamara’s second DNP of the week is hardly news after beat reporter Nick Underhill reported he is unlikely to play and considered week-to-week after suffering a groin injury. A Week 17 return looks like the best possible outcome for Kamara. Kendre Miller is an RB2, starting in Kamara’s stead.

Beat reporter Nick Underhill reports “Kamara’s injury is more significant than believed,” labeling him “week to week.” News broke earlier this week that Kamara needed to undergo additional testing for his groin injury. It appears as though those tests brought undesirable results. Fantasy managers should rush to add Kendre Miller wherever he is available. He is RB2-viable against the Packers on Monday night.

It’s the least surprising football news we’ll hear all week. Just days after benching Jake Haener for an atrocious half of football, the Saints have decided it would be best to start Rattler in Monday night’s game against the Packers. Rattler had an up-and-down outing in the two quarters he played against the Commanders but nearly mounted a comeback win in the fourth quarter when he threw a touchdown to Foster Moreau as time expired. A failed two-point conversion attempt ultimately sealed the Saints’ fate in the 20-19 defeat, but Rattler was unquestionably the best available quarterback for the Saints last week. Fantasy managers in traditional 1QB leagues can ignore Rattler, but he may have some viability for those in 2QB/Superflex leagues.

Olave was officially limited in Thursday’s practice, per beat reporter Mike Triplett. Fantasy managers should not expect Olave to be rushed into action in time for the Saints’ Week 16 Monday Night Football game but this is certainly worth monitoring. It appears as though Olave has a real chance of playing in Week 17 at least.

CEH was waived by the Chiefs earlier this week. He began the year on the non-football injury list and was activated a month and a half into the season. He was a healthy scratch in every game after that before being cut. With Alvin Kamara banged up, the Saints are in need of some depth at running back. Kendre Miller would draw the start if Kamara misses Week 16. Edwards-Helaire would mix in for backup duties with Jamaal Williams if he can get up to speed in time.

The Saints have continued to dance around the situation by calling Carr “week to week” but this is no minor injury and it would legitimately be surprising if Carr played again in the 2024 season. Nick Underhill reported that Spencer Rattler will get another start this week after coming off the bench and handily outperforming (a low bar) Jake Haener in Week 15.

Rizzi said Kamara’s injury is a groin abductor injury. Kamara said after the game that it felt like a minor injury, which he suffered on a 21-yard receiving touchdown in the third quarter, but Rizzi opted not to comment on the severity of the injury. Kamara’s Week 16 status, for now, is up in the air, meaning Kendre Miller is a priority add on waivers for fantasy managers still in the fight. Miller could be in line for a busy day if Kamara is sidelined, while Jamaal Williams, who has just 35 carries on the season, could also see an uptick in touches.