New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara heads into Sunday morning listed as questionable as he deals with issues surrounding his hip and ribs. After an impressive start to the 2024 NFL season, Kamara is second in the league in fantasy football points through three weeks but could be in danger of missing Week 4.
Let’s examine Kamara’s latest injury update and consider whether fantasy managers should trust the RB in their lineups in Week 4.
What Is the Latest on Alvin Kamara’s Injury?
The latest news regarding Kamara’s injury situation is that, despite being questionable entering Week 4, he is expected to play. Both Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter reported that in the early hours of Sunday morning. That is good news for fantasy managers who should have Kamara available, even if he is not 100%.
The first real indication that Kamara was dealing with an injury issue was his listing as a non-participant on the NFL injury report on Wednesday. Kamara was able to return to practice Thursday and put in limited sessions on both of the final two days before being tagged as questionable.
While we do not know exactly when the injury happened, Kamara was slow to get up following a play late in the fourth quarter last Sunday.
First down, Alvin Kamara, who was slow to get up after the play. Hope he’s okay. pic.twitter.com/IhIIy7XJDz
— DIE-HARD 🦅 REALTOR® (@Eaglesfans9) September 22, 2024
At the time, the situation was not overly noticeable because Kamara did manage to get back to his feet without the help of trainers. However, Kamara missed the next play, with Jamaal Williams coming in to take the carry before Derek Carr threw a touchdown to Chris Olave two plays later.
Following that touchdown, Williams was targeted on the two-point play, which perhaps should have been an indication that all was not right with Kamara. In a crucial spot, looking to open a seven-point lead with just over two minutes remaining, the Saints were unlikely to choose to throw the ball to their backup RB over their main weapon at the position.
Should Fantasy Managers Trust Kamara if He Is Active?
If Kamara is active as we expect, fantasy managers have a really tough decision to make. Both of the injury issues are likely to be aggravated again by contact, and that could make it hard for Kamara to have a full workload. So far this season, he has carried the ball 61 times for 285 yards and four touchdowns while adding 132 yards and a touchdown from 10 receptions.
Kamara has been efficient, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt and 12.0 yards per target, but volume has also been his friend this year. He has never averaged more than 19.5 carries per game in a single season but is currently at 20.3 while also setting a new career-high in touches per game (23.7). That combination of volume and efficiency has resulted in Kamara leading the league in yards from scrimmage and touchdowns.
This feels like a no-win situation for fantasy managers. Start Kamara, and he could easily be out of the game within the first few plays. Sit him, and he could play the entire game while seeing 20+ touches per game. Knowing which option to take here is very hard.
It largely depends on who else you have on your roster.
If you have four or five rock-solid options at RB or WR to fill your RB and flex spots, then maybe you consider going away from Kamara. If not, then you likely have to take a chance on him.
Could Jamaal Williams or Jordan Mims Be Fantasy Relevant in Week 4?
The other two backs on the Saints’ depth chart entering Week 4 are Williams and Jordan Mims. They also have Jacob Kibodi on the practice squad. Of those three, Williams is most likely to have fantasy relevance this week.
Williams has 20 carries this year for 76 yards and a touchdown. He has also added two receptions from four targets for 13 yards.
In contrast, Mims has just four carries for 11 yards. Williams is clearly the backup to Kamara at this point. If Kamara was to miss significant time, Williams would be the one who benefited the most, with Mims likely in that backup role.
All stats are from TruMedia unless otherwise stated.