The New Orleans Saints remain without their franchise running back as they play out the remainder of their disappointing 2025 season. Alvin Kamara has now missed four weeks with a knee injury. Will fantasy football managers have the veteran back available for the final week of the fantasy season?
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 still not practiced since sustaining the injury.​
Over the past month, the Saints never so much as listed him as questionable throughout this stretch. He has 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 is super serious or threatening long term.​
However, the recovery timeline has extended far beyond initial expectations. The MCL sprain appeared to be minor based on how the team initially 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 much longer 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.
Two weeks remain in the season.​ One week remains in the fantasy season. Given how late it is, it is hard to envision Kamara returning to play out the final two meaningless games even if he wants to. New Orleans would gain nothing by risking further damage to their franchise running back in December games that carry no playoff implications.​
The Saints are playing out a lost season with no postseason hopes. Preserving Kamara’s health for 2026 may become the priority. With just two games left, if Kamara has not returned by now, he likely will not play at all.​
Kamara’s Fantasy Football Outlook
With Kamara sidelined, the Saints backfield has undergone multiple transformations. Devin Neal served as the lead back for several weeks while Kamara recovered. However, Neal is also on injured reserve.​
Audric Estime was the clear lead “running back” in Week 16, but Taysom Hill was actually the primary back. It is entirely unclear as to whether this was a one week thing, or if it will be Hill the rest of the way.
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Regardless, Hill has to be added off the waiver wire. Just know that if you start him, the floor is quite literally zero if he goes back to being used like he was prior to last week.
