New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (shoulder) was not seen on the practice field with the rest of the team on Wednesday. Apparently Johnson picked up a shoulder injury in the Week 17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Aside from his injury, the 27-year-old had his best performance of the year, catching eight of his 12 targets for 90 yards and a touchdown. Although Johnson has been an inconsistent, touchdown-dependent fantasy streamer at the tight end position this year, he's on the rise after finding the end zone in each of the last three games for the Saints. Johnson's status for the Week 18 regular season finale against the Atlanta Falcons is in question, but if he can return to practice this week and play on Sunday, he'll be in play as a low-end, touchdown-dependent TE1 for fantasy managers.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ankle) was not seen practicing with the rest of the team on Wednesday. Kamara sprained his ankle in the Week 17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is now up in the air for the Week 18 regular season finale in a must-win game at home against the Atlanta Falcons. The 28-year-old is going to need to return to practice on Thursday or Friday to be a realistic option to play this weekend. If Kamara doesn't end up being cleared to play against Atlanta, Jamaal Williams will serve as the team's backfield leader, although quarterback/tight end hybrid Taysom Hill would also likely see a heavy dose of rushing attempts. If Kamara ends up suiting up, he'll be a must-start in all fantasy lineups in Week 18.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has recently put together his best stretch of play this year, and it's no coincidence that it has come while being able to avoid injuries that have plagued him for much of the season. Heading into Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons, the Saints have won three of their last four games and Carr has gone 92-for-126 (73 percent) for 853 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. He's been sacked five times and hasn't fumbled. "He's probably as healthy as he's been in a while, and so, you feel his accuracy in his passing, you feel more comfortable in the pocket," head coach Dennis Allen said Monday. Avoiding turnovers it the most important thing for the veteran signal-caller. With several high-end QB options potentially being rested in the regular season finale this weekend, Carr is setting up as a high-end QB2/low-end QB1 option for fantasy managers against Atlanta.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ankle) is truly day-to-day after spraining his ankle in the Week 17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to sources. He'll have a chance to play in Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Jan. 7, but it's too early right now to know for sure. The Saints and fantasy managers should have a better idea of Kamara can play this weekend after they get in a few practices, starting on Wednesday. If it's a high-ankle sprain, the 28-year-old would be unlikely to play a week later. But in a must-win game in order to make it into the playoffs, perhaps Kamara will suit up at less than 100 percent. If he's active, he should be started in all fantasy lineups if you're still playing for a championship. If Kamara cannot go in Week 18, Jamaal Williams would line up as the Saints' starting RB.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed saw limited involvement in the Week 17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The speedy receiver caught two of three targets for 14 yards. Shaheed's services were not needed, given that New Orleans held a comfortable lead for the entire game. The second-year receiver will look to bounce back in Week 18 against the Atlanta Falcons, but will continue to grade as a boom-or-bust option.