On Sunday, it seemed like on every offensive play, the New Orleans Saints lost another player to injury. By the time the game was over, Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Juwan Johnson were all hurting.
What is the latest, and should fantasy football managers be concerned?
New Orleans Saints Injury Updates
Chris Olave, WR
Olave was having himself a monster game on Sunday before he exited in the third quarter due to a concussion. When he left the field, he had been targeted nine times. He caught seven passes for 114 yards and showed no sign of slowing down. Olave was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game.
He now enters the concussion protocol, and fantasy managers will have to monitor the Saints’ practice reports to see how quickly he moves through it and is cleared in time to take on the Detroit Lions in Week 13.
If Olave cannot clear protocol, the pickings are slim in New Orleans. Fellow receiver Rashid Shaheed and tight end Juwan Johnson are also ailing. If they, too, are unavailable, the Saints will look to A.T. Perry and Lynn Bowden to handle WR duties.
If this is the case, Alvin Kamara could see tons of targets against the Lions, as well as some fancy plays drawn up to feature TE Taysom Hill. Remember that the Saints also signed Marquez Calloway to the practice squad last week so he could be elevated.
Rashid Shaheed, WR
Shaheed has quietly been having a serviceable fantasy season, currently sitting at WR40 with over 500 yards receiving and three TDs. He has three WR1 finishes on the year. However, Shaheed suffered a quad injury in the game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12. He was limping as he headed to the locker room, but he is currently being viewed as day-to-day.
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It was reported today that it seems like he avoided serious injury but is likely unavailable this week.
Juwan Johnson, TE
Another Saints player who had a rough Sunday was Johnson. He finished the day as TE14 with 45 yards but had to leave the field after a tough helmet-to-helmet hit. It was reported that Johnson’s injury is concussion-related, but it has not been released if he has entered concussion protocol.
With Michael Thomas already on IR, Johnson joins Olave and Shaeed as ailing Saints heading into the Week 13 matchup with a leaky Detroit defense. Potentially down several pass catchers, look to Kamara and Hill to have significant roles.
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