Injuries continue to mount throughout the NFL. After three healthy weeks, New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara is the latest to get hurt. What is the latest information on Kamara’s status? Should fantasy football managers be preparing to go with an alternative in Week 4?
Will Alvin Kamara Play in Week 4 vs. the Falcons?
Kamara missed practice on Wednesday, his first absence of the season. He is dealing with rib and hip issues.
Dennis Allen said Saints C Erik McCoy will go on IR, and he’ll be out for a "little while. I don’t know exactly how long that is. I know there’s been a lot of speculation, but I’m not gonna speculate."
RG Cesar Ruiz dealing with a knee issue
RB Alvin Kamara ribs and hip pointer https://t.co/0jP41wfqup
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett)
As a reminder, Wednesday practices are largely meaningless. By this point in the season, plenty of veterans rest on Wednesday, even if they’re not hurt. Every player is dealing with nicks and bruises, most of which are not serious enough to prevent them from playing.
Given the lack of details on Kamara’s injuries, all we can do is make an educated guess at this point. This is purely my read on the situation based on many years of following the NFL. I think Kamara will play.
MORE:Â NFL Injury Report Tracker
There are certain injuries that aren’t the type to prevent players from playing, especially guys who have been around as long as Kamara. This sounds like Kamara is more banged up than injured.
Fortunately for Kamara’s fantasy owners, he returned to practice as a limited participant on Thursday. The Saints designated him as questionable for Sunday’s game after he was a limited participant in Friday’s practice.
Should You Start Kamara in Fantasy Lineups?
One of the best stories of the 2024 season thus far has been Kamara’s resurgence. Following his dismal 2023 performance, combined with his being 29 years old, it was fair to wonder if he was done. After three weeks, it’s abundantly clear that not only is Kamara still cooking, but he looks like he’s aged in reverse.
Kamara looks as explosive as ever. He’s averaging 5.9 yards per touch and 27.2 fantasy points per game through three weeks. The current No. 2 overall running back in fantasy should obviously be in lineups as long as he is active.
Who Are the Other Fantasy Options To Consider on the Saints?
Jamaal Williams has been the clear RB2 behind Kamara. He has no standalone value but would stand to serve as the lead back if Kamara missed time. So far, Williams has been ineffective in limited action. He’s turned his 20 carries into just 76 yards.
Williams is a far cry from the guy who led the NFL in rushing touchdowns two years ago. Even in a lead back role, Williams would be nothing more than a pure volume play — a desperation RB3 that you hope falls into the end zone.
Speaking of touchdowns, head coach Dennis Allen said he expects to have Taysom Hill back this week. In the event Kamara missed a game, I would expect the Saints to utilize Hill in more creative ways, including at the goal line. He would be an intriguing option at a depleted tight end position and very much a cap on Williams’ already limited upside.
