New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller ended up as the team's leading rusher in Week 7, taking six carries for 36 yards. Featured back Alvin Kamara (hand, ribs) is nursing injuries that may finally be impacting his productivity (2.5 YPC in the last three weeks) which might open the door for Miller to see more snaps. Unfortunately, any extra opportunities he may see in Week 8 will come against the Los Angeles Chargers, who are operating one of the best defenses in the league. The Chargers have given up the fourth-fewest PPR points to opposing running backs and the sixth-fewest total rushing yards. The anticipated return of Taysom Hill (ribs) would work against Miller as well. While there is no guarantee for immediate returns, Miller does make for a decent stash option given Kamara's health and Jamaal Williams' ineffectiveness as a backup.

After starting the week with a limited practice session, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave logged back-to-back full practices ahead of the team's Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Olave suffered a concussion on the Saints' third play from scrimmage in Week 6 and was removed from that game accordingly and sat out last week's defeat at the hands of the Broncos. Olave is set to take the field once again on Sunday but the circumstances surrounding his return leave little hope for a productive day. Derek Carr (oblique) is officially listed as doubtful, leaving Spencer Rattler the projected starter for New Orleans. Also, the Chargers have had one of the best defenses in the league in the first half of the season and are allowing the second-fewest PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers. Olave will be at the top of the Saints' depth chart upon his return but he projects as a risky WR3 in Week 8.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (hand, ribs) was limited in practice all week but carries no designation for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Kamara revealed earlier this week that he broke his hand in Week 5 against the Chiefs and has been playing through the pain ever since. That may explain his downturn in utilization and effectiveness in the last two weeks. In Weeks 6 and 7, Kamara had just 20 rushing attempts and averaged 2.5 yards per carry, and had 11 receptions for 3.5 yards per catch. Considering that his Week 8 opponent is the Los Angeles Chargers, there is little reason to believe a rebound is at hand. The Chargers are allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing running backs in PPR formats and have given up just two touchdowns to the position all season. Kamara is still locked in as the Saints' feature back and can be started in fantasy accordingly but managers should have expectations set for an RB2 finish.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler popped up on the team's injury report this week with a hip injury but was able to practice in full. Rattler went down awkwardly near the end of the Saints' Week 7 matchup against the Broncos and was removed from that game to avoid aggravating the injury. With Derek Carr (oblique) still needing time off to recover from the oblique injury he picked up in Week 5, the Saints are giving Rattler his third consecutive start on Sunday. Rattler will have his hands full in Week 8 as he will once again be up against one of the league's top defenses in the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are giving up 184.2 passing yards per game so far and have recorded an interception in each game of the season. Rattler's volatility, combined with the difficult matchup, make him a poor candidate for fantasy lineups in Week 8.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) hasn't been able to practice this week and is considered doubtful ahead of the Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Carr is set to miss his third game in a row due to a lingering oblique injury. Spencer Rattler could continue starting under center, but won't have an easy test against a strong Chargers secondary. It sounds like Carr is making progress, so maybe a Week 9 return is possible. The 33-year-old should give this offense a boost once he's eventually able to get back on the field. Fantasy managers should prepare to be without Carr for at least one more game.