Alvin Kamara is dealing with an ankle injury and was listed as questionable for Week 6. Will the New Orleans Saints star play against the New England Patriots? Here’s the latest on his status.
Alvin Kamara Injury Update
Despite a questionable designation, multiple reports suggest that Kamara is expected to play on Sunday. The running back’s ankle issue first appeared during the Saints’ Week 5 victory over the New York Giants and was aggravated during Wednesday’s practice session leading up to the Patriots game.
Head coach Kellen Moore referred to the injury as “a little something” during his media availability. Kamara participated in limited practice sessions on both Thursday and Friday, which usually suggests that a player is likely to be available. The team has described the injury as minor and evaluated him daily throughout the week.
“Saints RB Alvin Kamara, listed as questionable for Sunday due to an ankle injury, is expected to play vs. the Patriots, per sources,” wrote NFL insider Adam Schefter on X.
If Kamara cannot play or sees reduced snaps against the Patriots, Kendre Miller would likely handle an increased workload. The second-year running back has shown better efficiency in limited opportunities, though Kamara remains the primary option when healthy.
How Has Kamara Performed This Season?
Kamara has compiled 283 rushing yards on 73 carries through five games, averaging 3.9 yards per attempt with one touchdown. His receiving production has declined significantly, with just 17 catches for 77 yards on 21 targets.
His best performance came in Week 2 against San Francisco when he rushed for 99 yards on 21 carries, nearly hitting the 100-yard mark.
Heading into Week 6, Kamara is ranked as the 22nd-best running back in the league based on PFSN’s RB impact metric. He has a 76.3 impact score and a C grade.
The Saints have the 25th-best offense in the league based on PFSN’s offensive impact metric, with a 70.6 impact score, earning them a C- grade. The team’s 1-4 record reflects broader offensive struggles under Moore’s first season as head coach.
Kamara’s Future in New Orleans
Kamara’s target share has dropped from 22% in 2024 to just 11% this season, a concerning trend for a dual-threat back. The emergence of Kendre Miller has also cut into his workload, with Miller receiving more carries (10 vs. 8) in Week 5 against the Giants while averaging 4.1 yards per carry.
The diminished role has fueled trade speculation ahead of the November 4 deadline. Multiple contenders, including the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Chargers, and Kansas City Chiefs, have contacted the Saints about Kamara’s availability.
However, when general manager Mickey Loomis approached Kamara about potential interest from other teams, the running back expressed his preference to remain in New Orleans through the rest of his career.
Kamara is committed to the Saints through 2026 after signing a two-year extension in October 2024. Despite the team’s struggles and his reduced role, he has made clear his desire to finish his career with the franchise that drafted him in 2017.
