New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New Orleans Saints wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest, illness) and rookie Bub Means (ankle) missed practice for the second straight day this week on Friday. On top of a chest injury, Valdes-Scantling is now dealing with an illness, putting his status in question for the Monday night game at the Green Bay Packers in Week 16. Both MVS and Means will need to practice in some capacity on Saturday to avoid being ruled out entirely this week. Means hasn't played since Week 8 and remains on Injured Reserve, so he's almost certainly going to be ruled out. First-rounder Chris Olave (head) has resumed practicing but also remains on IR and is unlikely to play Monday. If Valdes-Scantling doesn't get cleared to play, the Saints will be down to Cedrick Wilson Jr., Kevin Austin Jr. and rookie Mason Tipton as their top three receivers. It's a situation to avoid in fantasy.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (head) was limited for the second straight day this week on Friday as he tries to work his way back from Injured Reserve. Olave had his 21-day practice window to return from IR opened on Thursday. The 24-year-old is making progress after suffering multiple concussions earlier this season, but interim head coach Darren Rizzi already stated that the former first-rounder is "probably doubtful" to make his return in Week 16 on Monday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Fantasy managers stashing Olave that are still alive in the playoffs shouldn't have been considering Olave as a realistic starting option anyways on Monday night. If Olave is able to make his return in Week 17 (fantasy championships in most leagues) versus the Las Vegas Raiders, he'll likely be on a snap count with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler most likely running the offense.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (hand) was listed as a non-participant in practice on Friday for the second straight day this week. Carr has been cleared from the league's concussion protocol but he remains out of practice due to a left-hand fracture that he suffered in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants. The 33-year-old veteran signal-caller hasn't been put on Injured Reserve yet, which would officially end his season, and he's doing everything in his power to try and play again in 2024. However, with the Saints barely clinging onto slim playoff hopes, it's unlikely we'll see Carr back on the field again in the final three weeks for the Saints. When/if Carr is officially ruled out for Week 16 on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers, rookie Spencer Rattler is expected to make his fourth start of the year. Look for Carr to be officially ruled out on Saturday's final injury report.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Friday. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi said on Thursday that Kamara is unlikely to play on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, and with the Saints barely clinging to faint playoff hopes, there's a chance we don't see Kamara again this season over the final three weeks. Fantasy managers still battling for a championship will unfortunately be without the 29-year-old back this weekend. Second-year RB Kendre Miller has had a tough time staying healthy in his year plus in the NFL, but he's healthy now and should serve as New Orleans' primary backfield option at Lambeau Field on Monday night, giving him at least RB3/flex value in fantasy lineups this week. Veteran Jamaal Williams will serve as his backup.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (hand) wants to return before the end of the 2024 regular season, according to Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune. Carr has been sidelined since the waning minutes of Week 14, and it appears the Saints are leaving the door open for him to start in Week 16. Even if he doesn't recover in time to suit up on Sunday, the veteran quarterback has communicated to interim head coach Darren Rizzi that he wants to play again this season. If active in time for Week 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Carr would rank as a mid-range fantasy QB2.