The 4-10 New Orleans Saints can’t help but wonder what else could go wrong. Things have not gone according to plan in Kellen Moore’s debut season as head coach. Now, heading into their Week 16 matchup against the New York Jets (3-11) on Sunday, Dec. 21, the Saints are set to be without their hyped-up rookie RB Devin Neal. Meanwhile, Alvin Kamara’s situation remains questionable.
What Happened to Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal?
If Alvin Kamara is unable to suit up on Sunday, the Saints will be without their top three running backs against the Jets. Kamara is dealing with knee and ankle injuries, Neal has been placed on injured reserve, and Kendre Miller’s season ended back in October.
For a team already searching for answers, the backfield situation has officially reached crisis mode. The issues began Oct. 21, when the Saints placed Miller on season-ending IR. Miller, 23, tore his ACL during a 26-14 loss to the Chicago Bears. He finished the year with 47 carries for 193 yards and a touchdown in seven games and, in three seasons with New Orleans, has totaled 497 rushing yards and three scores across 21 appearances.
To compensate, the Saints elevated Velus Jones Jr. from the practice squad and signed Audric Estime to the practice squad. Fast forward to this week, and the depth chart took another hit when Neal was placed on IR with a hamstring injury.
The rookie exited last Sunday’s game after scoring his second career touchdown, a moment that now appears to be the final snap of his rookie season. He finished the year with 57 carries for 206 yards and two touchdowns in 10 games.
#Saints Week 1 RBs:
Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Velus Jones, Devin Neal#Saints Week 15 RBs:
Audric Estime, Evan Hull, Nyheim Hines— Joe Horns Cell Phone (@JoeHornsPhone) December 18, 2025
Kamara’s status remains the most significant question mark. He missed practice again on Thursday and is trending toward missing his fourth straight game. Statistically, the 2025 season has already been uncharacteristically quiet for the veteran, who has 131 carries for 471 yards and just one touchdown in 11 games. He currently ranks 41st on PFSN’s RB Impact metric with a C-minus grade.
What’s Next for the Saints?
New Orleans is expected to lean on Estime and Evan Hull against the Jets, with the team also signing veteran RB Nyheim Hines to the practice squad.
Estime, a former fifth-round pick of the Broncos, has just six carries for 22 yards since joining the Saints but believes he can handle a three-down role. Hull, meanwhile, has logged only 11 career carries for 32 yards after stints with the Colts and Steelers.
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Hines brings proven experience, even if his exact role remains unclear. A former Colts fourth-round pick, he built a reputation as a reliable change-of-pace and pass-catching back, highlighted by an 862-yard, seven-touchdown season in 2020. A 2023 jet ski accident caused ACL and MCL injuries that sidelined him for two years and ultimately led him to New Orleans as depth insurance.
That leaves Moore patching together an offense on the fly. With injuries also impacting the receiving corps, including Devaughn Vele, the Saints enter Week 16 severely short-handed.
Whether Estime and Hull can steady the backfield remains to be seen, but against a Jets defense playing for pride, New Orleans will need production from places it has not relied on all season.
