Mark Ingram’s status for Week 2 has come into sharp focus for both fantasy football managers and New Orleans Saints fans. With Alvin Kamara struggling to be available this week, is Ingram set to play, or could the Saints be without their top two backs? If Ingram is active, should fantasy managers trust him, and what is the situation for fantasy if he is not active?
Update: Alvin Kamara is expected to be out for the Saints’ week 2 game against the Buccaneers. Mark Ingram is active.
Is Mark Ingram playing today?
There were two good indications that Ingram could be set to suit up over the past 24 hours. First, despite having Kamara, Ingram, and Dwayne Washington on the injury report, the Saints did not elevate an RB from their practice squad this week.
That is significant because only Tony Jones Jr. is fully healthy in that backfield. Therefore, it would indicate the Saints believe at least one or two of their other backs should be ready to go this week.
To add to that, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday morning that Ingram is expected to play this week. On top of that, Kamara appears to be a game-time decision. While Rapoport said he had a chance to play, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported it is unlikely that Kamara will play. That would potentially leave Ingram as the RB1 for the Saints this week.
Should fantasy managers start Ingram in Week 2?
When Ingram and Kamara play together, Ingram has not seen more than nine rushing attempts or two targets in a single game. Whatever Kamara’s status is in terms of being active, it appears very likely he will be, at best, limited. Therefore, Ingram could be set for an increased workload from what he saw last week.
Ingram had five opportunities last week, which he turned into 23 yards. Unfortunately, he also lost a fumble, meaning he finished with very little in terms of fantasy points.
Since Ingram returned to the Saints in Week 8 last year, Kamara has missed four games. Ingram played in three of those and averaged 13.33 rushing attempts and 5.67 targets per game. In two of those, he scored double-digit fantasy points across all scoring formats.
However, when he was struggling with an injury in Week 13 last year, Ingram managed just 26 yards from scrimmage on 12 opportunities. Therefore, with him entering this week limited with injury, it might be a case where he has limited value, especially against a ferocious Buccaneers defensive line.
Do Tony Jones Jr. or Dwayne Washington have fantasy value?
If Ingram and Kamara are both inactive or heavily limited, then Jones would likely be the lead back. Washington would be expected to assume third-down duties and is also limited entering the week. However, it would be hard to start Jones this week for fantasy, regardless.
Jones had 54 rushing attempts last year and managed only 142 rushing yards. He had just 29 receiving yards on five receptions from eight targets. This Buccaneers’ defensive front is tough to run against, and Jones is the third player for the Saints in an ideal situation. Unless you play in an extremely deep league or are desperate, Jones is not someone fantasy managers should rely on this week.
Equally, with Washington having been ruled out last week, it’s unlikely he sees a big workload. He’s another player it would be best to avoid, if possible.