New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen said that he thinks there's a chance that tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) can play on Sunday in Week 8 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Hill is dealing with fractured ribs and hasn't played for the Saints since Week 4. The 34-year-old Swiss Army knife of an offensive weapon could return this weekend, but he'll need to prove he's ready in practices this week. It's possible that Hill could have an expanded role in the backfield, and perhaps even under center for some plays, if quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) isn't ready to return in Week 8. However, fantasy managers can't bank on that kind of role from a player whose involvement is already unpredictable. In his three games in 2024, Hill has 14 carries for 77 yards and two TDs while catching only two passes for two yards. If Hill returns in Week 8, he'll be an extremely volatile flex play or TE2.

Per head coach Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is still in the league's concussion protocol, as Matthew Paras of the Saints reported. There is still a chance that the 24-year-old is active for the Saints' Week 8 road tilt against the Los Angeles Chargers. Still, seeing him progress through the process a bit more expedited would have been more encouraging. It's in stark contrast to what rookie wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. has experienced -- suffering a concussion on the same Sunday afternoon yet gaining clearance to play a whole week sooner (albeit for a Monday Night Football matchup. Olave must still be cleared to play by an independent neurologist before being deemed active for the outing against LA. With quarterback Derek Carr's (oblique) status uncertain and the loss of WR Rashid Shaheed (knee) for the remainder of the season, it'd be an enormous boost for the Saints' offense to regain their star wideout.

The New Orleans Saints will host wide receiver Marques Valdes-Scantling for a workout on Monday, and if all goes well, they could sign him, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Valdes-Scantling was recently released by the Buffalo Bills, for whom he caught just two passes through six games. The Saints are starving for reinforcements at the wide receiver position with Chris Olave (concussion) sidelined and Rashid Shaheed (knee) done for the year. While Olave figures to return soon, New Orleans still needs to add depth to a wide receiver room that currently contains just Olave, Bub Means, Cedrick Wilson Jr., Mason Tipton, and Jermaine Jackson.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is denying that he has requested a trade. "I ain request a trade.. so that's a lie. I'm in an orange robe on the way to Knoxville.. #WhoDat," Kamara wrote on his X account. Rumors may be swirling that Kamara is unhappy in New Orleans after five straight losses, most recently a 33-10 beatdown at the hands of the Denver Broncos on Thursday night. The 29-year-old got off to a blazing start in 2024 with 80 rushing attempts for 362 yards (4.53 yards per tote) and five rushing touchdowns in the first four weeks, adding 17 catches for 174 yards and another score. But in three games since then, he has 76 yards on 31 carries for one touchdown and has caught 17 passes for 78 yards. It hasn't helped that QB Derek Carr (oblique) has missed the last two games. Kamara should improve once Carr returns, but that may not be for another week or so.

According to New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen, quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) will resume throwing on Saturday. However, it's unknown when he'll return to practice. "I'm not sure," said Allen when asked about Carr's potential availability for the Week 8 matchup with the Chargers. Yet, the coach was more optimistic about Week 9, stating "it's very likely" the signal-caller would be back on the field versus the Carolina Panthers. Carr was decent in his five appearances this season, tossing for 989 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions while completing 70.3% of his attempts. Unfortunately, the Saints offense has been banged up, so it's unclear who he'll have catching the ball upon his return. In the meantime, Spencer Rattler (hip) remains in line to start, although the rookie has struggled. But if he goes on the shelf, the team could turn to Taysom Hill (ribs), assuming he gets healthy, or Jake Haener, the third-string quarterback. With that in mind, nobody under center in New Orleans should be classified as a reliable fantasy option until the team shows consistency on the offensive end moving forward.