The New Orleans Saints remain without their franchise running back as they continue their disappointing 2025 campaign. Alvin Kamara has now missed three weeks with a knee injury. Will fantasy football managers have the veteran back available for the final stretch?
Alvin Kamara Injury Update
Kamara had been managing a nagging ankle issue throughout the season, but that never threatened his availability. He suited up each week and continued producing despite the discomfort. That changed in the first half of Week 12 when he departed the game with a knee problem and did not return.​
The knee injury has been confirmed as a sprained MCL. This type of injury varies dramatically in severity, ranging from minor Grade 1 sprains that heal in one to two weeks to severe Grade 3 tears that can keep players out for months.​
Kamara has not logged a single practice session since suffering the injury. He missed all practice sessions ahead of Weeks 13, 14, and 15. The Saints never so much as listed him as questionable; he’s been ruled out on each week’s final injury report.
No indication exists that Kamara is close to returning. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football noted after Week 12 that Kamara could take a little time, but nothing that’s super serious or threatening long term. However, the recovery timeline remains uncertain.​
The MCL sprain appears to be minor based on how the team has messaged and handled the situation. However, MCL injuries can deteriorate quickly if a player returns prematurely, potentially transforming a one to two week absence into a month-long ordeal.​
Kamara represents the type of player who would want to return even for meaningless games at the end of the season. At 30 years old, the veteran remains ultra-competitive and takes pride in his availability.
Three games remain in what has become another lost season for New Orleans. However, Kamara’s situation differs slightly from other teams with nothing to play for as the Saints were never expected to compete this year. The entire 2025 campaign has been an evaluation process for the organization.​
New Orleans would gain nothing by risking further damage to their franchise running back in meaningless December games. Preserving his health for 2026 may become the priority.​
Kamara wants to play and likely will if he can. His competitive nature and desire to be on the field work in favor of a potential return. But with just three games left, it stands to reason if he does not return this week, he will not play at all.​
Minor MCL sprains typically require one to three weeks of recovery depending on the grade and how the player responds to treatment. Week 16 represents a realistic target for his return if the sprain is indeed on the lower end of severity. However, there is also a legitimate possibility the Saints shut Kamara down for the remainder of the season.​
Kamara’s Fantasy Football Outlook
With Kamara sidelined, the Saints backfield undergoes a significant transformation. Devin Neal will continue serving as the lead back while Kamara recovers. The rookie sixth-round pick has assumed primary ball carrier duties in Kamara’s absence.​
Neal should continue seeing significant volume for as long as Kamara is out. Given his heavy usage, even on a bad offense, he profiles as a volume based Flex option. Taysom Hill has not been involved nearly as much as we thought he would be. Of course, that is pending Neal’s own health, as he left last week’s game with a hamstring strain.
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For fantasy managers rostering Kamara on playoff contenders, keep him on your roster until there’s definitive word on his return status or a potential shutdown. However, plug in a reliable alternative for now and don’t count on him contributing during the fantasy playoffs. The confirmed MCL sprain and subsequent multi-week absence force a reality check for Kamara’s fantasy managers heading into the postseason.​
