Alvin Kamara’s injury status has been a hot question for fantasy football managers over the past few weeks. Following his absence from the team’s Week 4 game in London, what is the latest regarding Kamara’s injury, and what is the fantasy impact of this news?
Alvin Kamara Injury Update Entering Week 5
The recent injury status for Kamara has been a little confusing. Given that he was limited in practice all of last week, it did not seem like he would sit out Week 4. Then on Saturday, the team elevated Latavius Murray from the practice squad, and Kamara wound up being inactive on game day. All eyes are now on his injury status this week.
To open the week, Kamara is once again listed as a limited participant due to his rib injury. After practice, Kamara appeared upbeat when talking to reporters. The New Orleans Saints RB told those assembled, “[I’m] feeling great, healthy, ready to roll. So I’m going to be out there.” Of course, we will need to see how the week develops to make sure Kamara does not have any setbacks, but this is a positive start to the week.
What does Kamara’s injury status mean for fantasy managers?
Kamara is one of those players who, if he is active, generally starts in your fantasy lineup. That said, has not gotten off to a great start this year. Kamara has just 100 rushing yards on 24 attempts with 19 receiving yards on five receptions and 11 targets over two starts. He averaged just 5.95 fantasy points per game in non-PPR, 8.45 in half-PPR, and 10.95 in full-PPR formats across those two performances.
If this rib injury has been hampering him, that could explain some of the struggles. As frustrating as his two absences have been, they may ultimately be for the best when it comes to the rest of the season. If Kamara can get back to being fully healthy, he should return to that comfortable top-24 RB status that we’re all familiar with.
This week could be a perfect opportunity for Kamara to bounce back. The Seattle Seahawks are allowing an average of 24.45 fantasy points per game to opposing RBs in half-PPR scoring. They have allowed at least 20 fantasy points to the position in three of four games and allowed Jamaal Williams and the Detroit Lions’ backs to accumulate 35.8 fantasy points in Week 4.
Additionally, the Seahawks have allowed the 10th-highest target share to opposing RBs. That is a positive sign given the importance of the receiving game for Kamara’s fantasy value. Assuming what Kamara said Wednesday is true in terms of his health, he could be primed for a 2022 season breakout in Week 5.
If Kamara is getting healthier, he should take on the majority of the workload for the Saints. We saw Mark Ingram struggle in Week 4 as Latavius Murray appeared to steal work from him, so Ingram should not present a major threat to Kamara’s opportunities (Murray has since been signed by the Denver Broncos). If Kamara is active, Ingram becomes a player that is tough to consider as anything more than a 16-team Flex option.