As Alvin Kamara works his way back from a knee injury that sidelined him for four games, will he be available for fantasy football managers in Week 14? What is the latest regarding Kamara’s injury status, and how has he played in 2021? How about Mark Ingram — what is his status, and what does it mean for the New Orleans Saints’ running game and fantasy managers if he is out?
Update 12/12/21: According to the Saints, both Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara will be active for their game against the New York Jets.
Is Alvin Kamara playing today vs. the Jets?
Saints fans, and those with Kamara on their fantasy teams, will be thrilled to find out that Kamara has had a full week of practice with no restrictions and is set to play against the Jets. Getting him back will be a huge boost for a Saints team that is struggling with its first season post-Drew Brees. Being without Michael Thomas all year and losing Jameis Winston to a torn ACL doesn’t help either.
Additionally, both offensive tackles have missed a good chunk of time. Ryan Ramczyk is out again on Sunday. Meanwhile, Terron Armstead is on light practice this week and is unlikely to play this week.
Ingram, on the other hand — who has done an excellent job in Kamara’s absence since returning to New Orleans –, will likely not play vs. the Jets. Ingram tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list as a result.
Ian Rapoport reported earlier this week that it’s not impossible for Ingram to play. However, the timeline is extremely tight if he is going to. The expectation currently is that we won’t see Ingram this week.
How has Kamara performed so far this season?
As I mentioned, it’s been quite a turbulent year for the Saints. Yet, Kamara is as important to the Saints as any player is to their team in the NFL. He is the offense’s focal point, and even more so without Thomas in 2021. Kamara has been influential since New Orleans drafted him. And without Brees, they’ve needed him more than ever.
Kamara has played eight games this season and tallied 530 yards on the ground. He’s averaged 3.6 yards per attempt. That’s his lowest season average since coming into the league by a whole yard and far lower than his 5.0 average in 2020. He only has 3 touchdowns on the ground, but 4 through the air, in which he’s added another 310 yards for his team.
It’s safe to say all of the adversity, and the changes they’ve faced, have certainly taken their toll on the Saints’ offensive production, as well as Kamara’s. The offensive line injury woes won’t have helped either.
Without legitimate threats at receiver, defenses can focus more on Kamara. That has most certainly contributed to his lower production this year. Now back after a four-week absence, we’re hoping to see him return to his best and can help his team regain focus vs. the Jets.
Who will take over for Mark Ingram if he is out?
While Kamara may be returning, the Saints are very likely to be without Ingram and Ty Montgomery (COVID). Look for Tony Jones Jr. to get some snaps behind Kamara.
Jones has been with the Saints since signing as a free agent back in April 2020. He had a good start to the 2021 campaign, with 50 yards in Week 1 against the Packers. Jones had his only other proper contribution in Week 12 against the Bills and struggled for only 27 yards on 16 carries.
With Kamara back in the fold, Jones can be avoided in fantasy. In the off-chance he plays, Ingram can also be avoided in the majority of leagues.