New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. It finally appears that Hill will be back in action for the first time since Week 4. The 34-year-old has only put together one good performance through his three games. However, Hill could be more involved with quarterback Spencer Rattler under center. The Saints enjoy using Hill all over the field, but he doesn't seem to have a consistent role. He should be considered a boom-or-bust TE2 for Week 8.

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (rib) has a realistic chance to play in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday after upgrading to a full practice session on Thursday. Hill was listed as limited on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Juwan Johnson (shoulder) was limited for the second straight day on Thursday. Hill fractured his ribs in Week 4 and hasn't played since. The 34-year-old veteran and multi-talented offensive weapon could be used more out of the backfield this weekend if he returns with quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) set to miss his third straight game. If Hill makes his return against the Chargers, he'll be a TE2 streamer, at best, in deeper fantasy leagues. The Mormon Missile has two rushing touchdowns in three games played but just 16 total touches in those three games before getting hurt.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (hand, rib) put in a second straight day with a limited practice this week on Thursday. Kamara is battling through both a broken hand and broken ribs, but he remarkably hasn't missed any time in 2024. He's the RB2 in half-PPR scoring heading into Week 8, although he has disappointed each of the last two weeks with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler making his first two starts in the NFL. Kamara should be expected to suit up this Sunday, but fantasy managers should once again temper expectations with quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) set to miss his third straight game. Heavy volume will continue to give the 29-year-old a high floor in fantasy, but a bad matchup against the Chargers should drop Kamara to the RB2 tier. LA's defense has allowed the third-fewest half-PPR points to opposing RBs through six games.

Updating a previous report, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday's practice after he was listed as limited on Wednesday. Olave suffered a concussion in the Week 6 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then missed last Thursday night's loss to the Denver Broncos. The 24-year-old is clearly advancing through the league's concussion protocol and will now just need to get the green light from an independent neurologist later this week in order to return to the field this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers. Olave should be the unquestioned WR1 for New Orleans if he's back this weekend, but quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) is still out, and the Saints are facing a Chargers defense allowing the third-fewest half-PPR points to wideouts this year. If Olave plays, fantasy managers should consider him a shaky WR3/flex against LA.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) was not seen at Saints' practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. The Saints already announced this week that rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will make his third straight start this Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 8. Carr resumed throwing earlier this week, but he's not recovered enough from a left-oblique strain to take part in team practices. It remains to be seen if he can make enough progress next week in practice to make his return for a Week 9 date with the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Since Carr's injury, the Saints' offense has tanked under Rattler, although injuries to receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) haven't helped. Rattler and the Saints' offense could have a tough time moving the ball once again this Sunday against a strong Chargers defense.