The New Orleans Saints will face the Green Bay Packers in Week 16 on Monday Night Football, and they’ll be without many of their star players.
This is good news for the Packers, who need just one win to clinch the playoffs. The Saints, who were eliminated from playoff contention after Week 16’s action, likely feel a bit indifferent.
For fantasy managers, especially those who have Alvin Kamara on their team? They may not be feeling the best heading into tonight’s game.
Let’s take a look at all the injuries the Saints are facing heading into kickoff.
Derek Carr, QB
Interim coach Darren Rizzi said Saturday that Derek Carr (hand) “hasn’t progressed enough” and has been ruled out for tonight’s game.
Carr is still regaining strength in his left, non-throwing hand that sustained a fracture back in Week 14 at the Giants. With Carr out for a second game in a row, the Saints will turn to Spencer Rattler under center Monday, while Jake Haener will serve as his backup. Carr’s next opportunity to suit up is Sunday, Dec. 29 versus the Raiders.
Juwan Johnson, TE
Juwan Johnson (foot) was a full practice participant on Saturday after two limited practices on Thursday and Friday. He holds no injury designation heading into the game.
He played through the same injury in Week 15, catching two of three targets for 12 yards in a 20-19 loss to the Commanders while handling 71 percent snap share and 77 percent route share.
Johnson’s ability to log limited practices Thursday and Friday puts him on track to play Monday against the Packers, at which point he’ll be catching passes from QB Spencer Rattler.
Alvin Kamara, RB
Rizzi said on Saturday that Kamara (groin) had been ruled out for Monday’s game at Green Bay. This comes as no surprise, as Kamara didn’t practice during Week 16 prep following comments from Rizzi on Thursday that the running back wasn’t likely to suit up.
In Kamara’s place, Kendre Miller is set to lead the Saints backfield on Monday, with Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims available for complementary reps. Kamara’s next chance to play is Sunday, Dec. 29 against the Raiders.
Bub Means, WR
Bub Means (ankle) suffered a setback in his recovery from a Week 8 ankle injury and is not expected to return this season.
The Saints haven’t made the official designation, and Means technically still has one more week to return until his 21-day activation window expires, but Rizzi’s comments seem to indicate the rookie won’t play the rest of the year.
The rookie fifth-round pick emerged as a rotational option after injuries decimated New Orleans’ wide receiver depth earlier in the year. Means could profile as a depth piece for the team entering 2025.
Chris Olave, WR
Chris Olave (concussion) has been ruled out for tonight’s game. The Saints designated Olave to return from injured reserve Thursday, which he followed up with three consecutive limited practices during Week 16 prep.
Without a full session under his belt, he has yet to complete the concussion protocol and will thus miss a sixth straight game.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness) is also listed as questionable, leaving Kevin Austin, Dante Pettis, Cedrick Wilson, and Mason Tipton as the healthy wide receivers on New Orleans’ active roster.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR
Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness) is inactive tonight against the Packers.
He initially didn’t practice on Thursday due to a chest injury and then didn’t participate in either of the two subsequent ones, presumably thanks in some part to an illness, which was tacked on to Friday’s injury.
Chase Young, DE
Chase Young (illness) didn’t practice on Friday after missing Thursday and Friday. However, he was a full participant on Saturday. He carries no injury designation heading into the game.