Alvin Kamara Injury Update: Should Fantasy Managers Worry About the Saints RB?

New Orleans faces potential backfield concerns as they prepare for Sunday’s matchup against Cleveland. Alvin Kamara has made his first appearance on the injury report this season with an ankle issue. For fantasy football managers who have relied on the Saints’ veteran workhorse all season, what does this development mean for his Week 6 availability?

Alvin Kamara Injury Update

The veteran running back has been remarkably durable through five weeks, playing every game without missing time due to health concerns. He hadn’t been on the injury report all season until this week.

Kamara was listed as limited on Wednesday’s injury report with an ankle issue. Normally, the fact that he was able to participate, even in a restricted capacity, would suggest the injury is nothing to worry about. However, he sustained the injury at practice.

Practice injuries create unique challenges because they provide less recovery time compared to game-related injuries. Players typically have six days to heal from Sunday game injuries, but practice incidents compress that timeline significantly.

Thursday’s practice participation will serve as the critical barometer for Kamara’s status. If he returns to full participation, fantasy managers can breathe easy knowing the ankle isn’t a significant concern. Even a limited session would put him on track to play. But a complete absence would elevate worry levels.

Nick Underhill reported that Kamara is considered day-to-day. This is an encouraging development as we’ve seen players sustain ankle injuries in games with them immediately being described as week-to-week. This suggests that whatever Kamara did is minor.

Kamara is a veteran, though. He could potentially miss Thursday and Friday practices entirely while still being cleared to play Sunday if his ankle feels comfortable by game time. His extensive experience and body of work give him flexibility in preparation routines.

The Saints have been careful with their star players this season, particularly given their disappointing 1-4 record. However, Kamara remains their most dynamic offensive weapon, making it unlikely they would hold him out unless absolutely necessary.

Kendre Miller would step into the starting role if Kamara cannot suit up Sunday. The third-year back from TCU has shown promise in limited opportunities this season and would immediately become a clear RB2 option for fantasy purposes with a full workload.

This situation bears close monitoring throughout the week as more information becomes available about Kamara’s comfort level and practice participation.

Update: Fortunately, we’ve gotten rapid and pertinent updates on Kamara shortly after practice. Head coach Kellen Moore said Kamara’s ankle is “nothing concerning.” It sounds as if this is very minor and team removed Kamara from practice out of an abundance of caution. He should be good to go for Sunday.

Second Update: Kamara was limited again on Thursday. While we’d obviously prefer to see him practice in full, the fact that he was able to practice at all suggests the team is just being cautious. He should be fine to play on Sunday.

Kamara Fantasy Outlook

I was out on Kamara this offseason (and last offseason if we are being honest) and the pushback I got was always the same.

“Yeah, it’s not pretty, but he’s the best player on this team and offers a floor thanks to his versatility that it’ll be tough for him to outright fail.”

That’s a perfectly reasonable argument, but this Saints offense is bringing it into question.

Kamara has more fumbles lost since Week 1 than touchdowns, doesn’t have a game with 30 receiving yards this season, and doesn’t have a 25-yard rush since September … of 2021.

What makes him drastically different from Chase Edmonds?

I’m not labeling either as a must-start, and if you have a receiver with a 6-8 target projection, I wouldn’t hesitate to make that decision in flex spots (I’d rather take my chances on DeVonta Smith, Ladd McConkey, or DJ Moore types).

— PFSN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe

Week 6 RB Fantasy Rankings

1) Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers (at TB)
2) Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons (vs. BUF)
3) Jahmyr Gibbs | Detroit Lions (at KC)
4) Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis Colts (vs. ARI)
5) Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia Eagles (at NYG)
6) Josh Jacobs | Green Bay Packers (vs. CIN)
7) James Cook | Buffalo Bills (at ATL)
8) De’Von Achane | Miami Dolphins (vs. LAC)
9) Javonte Williams | Dallas Cowboys (at CAR)
10) Kyren Williams | Los Angeles Rams (at BAL)
11) Ashton Jeanty | Las Vegas Raiders (vs. TEN)
12) Derrick Henry | Baltimore Ravens (vs. LAR)
13) Rico Dowdle | Carolina Panthers (vs. DAL)
14) Quinshon Judkins | Cleveland Browns (at PIT)
15) Breece Hall | New York Jets (vs. DEN)
16) J.K. Dobbins | Denver Broncos (at NYJ)
17) Jacory Croskey-Merritt | Washington Commanders (vs. CHI)
18) Cam Skattebo | New York Giants (vs. PHI)
19) Rachaad White | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. SF)
20) Alvin Kamara | New Orleans Saints (vs. NE)
21) Travis Etienne Jr. | Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. SEA)
22) Tony Pollard | Tennessee Titans (at LV)
23) D’Andre Swift | Chicago Bears (at WAS)
24) David Montgomery | Detroit Lions (at KC)
25) Rhamondre Stevenson | New England Patriots (at NO)
26) Jaylen Warren | Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE)
27) Michael Carter | Arizona Cardinals (at IND)
28) Zach Charbonnet | Seattle Seahawks (at JAX)
29) Kenneth Walker III | Seattle Seahawks (at JAX)
30) Chase Brown | Cincinnati Bengals (at GB)
31) TreVeyon Henderson | New England Patriots (at NO)
32) Kenneth Gainwell | Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. CLE)
33) Kendre Miller | New Orleans Saints (vs. NE)
34) Justice Hill | Baltimore Ravens (vs. LAR)
35) Tyler Allgeier | Atlanta Falcons (vs. BUF)
36) Kareem Hunt | Kansas City Chiefs (vs. DET)
37) RJ Harvey | Denver Broncos (at NYJ)
38) Isiah Pacheco | Kansas City Chiefs (vs. DET)
39) Kimani Vidal | Los Angeles Chargers (at MIA)
40) Hassan Haskins | Los Angeles Chargers (at MIA)
41) Tyrone Tracy Jr. | New York Giants (vs. PHI)
42) Isaiah Davis | New York Jets (vs. DEN)
43) Bhayshul Tuten | Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. SEA)
44) Brashard Smith | Kansas City Chiefs (vs. DET)
45) Emari Demercado | Arizona Cardinals (at IND)
46) Blake Corum | Los Angeles Rams (at BAL)
47) Chris Rodriguez Jr. | Washington Commanders (vs. CHI)
48) Ollie Gordon II | Miami Dolphins (vs. LAC)
49) Sean Tucker | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. SF)
50) Tyjae Spears | Tennessee Titans (at LV)