New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New Orleans Saints Chris Olave (concussion) has been listed as a full participant for Wednesday's practice in the estimated injury report. Olave was ruled out for Monday's game against the Green Bay Packers and has been sidelined since Week 9 due to a concussion. The 24-year-old was designated to return from injured reserve last week and is trending in the right direction toward playing in Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He will need to be officially activated later this week in order to have a chance to suit up in Week 17. Olave would give the banged-up Saints wide receiver corps a boost after catching 32 passes for 400 yards and a touchdown over eight games. The former first-round pick would be a low-end WR3 this week if active. The Saints were recently shut out, and New Orleans' offense has been downgraded, with Derek Carr (hand) sidelined. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the situation and hope Olave can return to action for fantasy championship week.

According to Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) would like to return to the field this season, but his status for Week 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday will be determined later this week. Kamara sat out on Monday evening due to a groin injury he suffered during their Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders. Kamara was also unable to practice all week leading up to the game, which suggests his injury might be relatively serious. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status throughout the week. Given their current place in the standings, Kamara will likely have to avoid any further setbacks to have a chance to return. While sidelined, Kendre Miller will continue to lead the backfield, with Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims operating as change-of-pace options.

According to Mike Triplett of New Orleans Football, head coach Darren Rizzi confirmed that rookie Spencer Rattler would be the team's starting quarterback if Derek Carr (hand) is unable to play this weekend. Carr has missed the previous two games due to a hand injury but has expressed that he wants to return to the field again this season. While sidelined, both Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler each earned a start but either was able to deliver a victory. On Monday evening, Rattler went 15-for-30 with 153 passing yards and added 28 yards on five attempts. If Carr is unable to turn the corner, Rattler should be viewed as a low-end QB2 in all formats despite facing a weak Las Vegas defense that has allowed the 13th-most PPR points to opposing QBs.

New Orleans Saints receiver Kevin Austin Jr. earned another four targets Monday at Green Bay, but turned them into just one catch for 17 yards on which he fumbled, but saw the ball go out of bounds. The third-year player has drawn at least three targets in four straight games, but is playing more mostly due to injuries, including to top receiver Chris Olave (concussion). New Orleans, playing behind backup quarterback Spencer Rattler, looked hapless in the 34-0 defeat to the Packers and became the first team in the league to be shut out this year. Austin is off the fantasy radar prior to a Week 17 game against Las Vegas.

Wide receiver Dante Pettis of the New Orleans Saints earned seven targets on Monday at Green Bay but finished with only two catches for 31 yards. The barren New Orleans offense was down to starting quarterback Spencer Rattler, who completed only half of his 30 passing attempts for 153 yards and an interception in a blowout 34-0 defeat. The Saints have ample opportunity for Pettis to play a high volume of snaps, but they have so few weapons at this stage of the season that starting anyone on this offense is likely a no-go. New Orleans will continue playing out the string in Week 17 against Las Vegas.