Alvin Kamara injury update: Latest on Saints RB for fantasy football Week 4
The New Orleans Saints returned to practice today without a host of players, starting with superstar running back Alvin Kamara. The veteran missed today's practice due to issues related to his ribs and a hip pointer, per head coach Dennis Allen.
With Kamara's strong start to the season, the Saints and fantasy managers would lose a key piece if he's not fully fit for Sunday's matchup against Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons.
Saints reporter Nick Underhill adds that starting guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), starting center Erick McCoy (placed on IR after groin surgery), cornerback Alontae Taylor (illness), and linebacker Demario Davis (hamstring) were absent from practice too.
"With Kamara, the word is that he's gonna try to play this week. Not practicing today, obviously, it's not a good thing. We'll see how he progresses throughout the week, but I don't think his situation is serious to the point where it's definitely gonna take him out on Sunday. We'll see how that one goes," he said.
The Saints fought hard against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, but Saquon Barkley got the upper hand against Kamara, scoring two rushing touchdowns (including a 65-yarder) to beat the Saints at home.
Alvin Kamara touched the ball 29 times, recording 127 total yards and one rushing touchdown in a nail-biter. In three games, he's had 61 carries, racking up 285 yards and four touchdowns. He has also caught 10 passes for 132 yards and one touchdown.
He's become an early NFL Offensive Player of the Year candidate, but the Saints must be cautious moving forward.
Alvin Kamara fantasy outlook for Week 4
Alvin Kamara has had a heavy workload to start the 2024 season, but he's been effective for the Saints. ESPN ranks him as RB5 for this week behind Bijan Robinson, Breece Hall, Saquon Barkley, and Kyren Williams, respectively.
Kamara is projected to have 18 carries for 73 yards, one rushing touchdown, four receptions for 33 yards, and a production of 18.97 points.
He's expected to be fully fit for Sunday's divisional duel, but the next two practices will show a clear picture of where he stands. The Saints started the campaign scoring over 40 points against both the Panthers and Cowboys before the Eagles held them to 12.
Kamara remains a dangerous weapon, but it'll take more than him to bounce back and get back to winning ways.