New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Unsurprisingly, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (concussion, hand) sat out of practice for the second straight day this week. Carr suffered a concussion and broke his left (non-throwing) hand in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants on Sunday. He hasn't officially been ruled out for Week 15 against the Washington Commanders, but interim head coach Darren Rizzi said on Thursday that Jake Haener will start under center this weekend. While the 33-year-old Carr will not be placed on Injured Reserve, there's a chance that he won't play again this year, depending on how the team plays in the next couple of weeks. The expectation is that Carr will officially be ruled out for Week 15 on Friday. Carr has dealt with various injuries again in 2024 and is currently the QB22 in overall fantasy points with 15 TD passes and 17 picks in 10 games played.

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi named quarterback Jake Haener as the team's starter under center for this Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, according to a source. Although the Saints are bullish on rookie Spencer Rattler, it will be Haener getting the first starting nod with regular starter Derek Carr (concussion, hand) potentially missing multiple weeks after fracturing his left (non-throwing) hand and suffering a concussion in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants. The 25-year-old Haener replaced Carr late in last week's game but didn't attempt a single pass. Despite being drafted last year, Haener didn't debut until this year, and he's gone 14-for-29 for 177 yards and a TD in part of seven games. At best, he's a low-end QB2 consideration in two-QB superflex leagues with limited upside this weekend against the Commanders.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (illness) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday due to an illness. Kamara is under the weather so far for Week 15 preparation and is now up in the air to suit up this Sunday when the Washington Commanders come to town. However, if the 29-year-old lead back is able to get onto the practice field on Friday, we will like his chances of being active on Sunday. Kamara has been a top-10 fantasy RB in 2024 with 223 carries for 938 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games, adding 64 receptions for 485 yards and another touchdown via the air. His 223 carries are tied for fifth among RBs, while his receptions and receiving yards lead all backs. It makes him a must-start RB in fantasy when he's healthy, although his upside won't be nearly as high with quarterback Derek Carr (concussion, hand) likely out in Week 15.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Means is currently in his 21-day practice window, which means he can practice with the team but would need to be activated from injured reserve before he can play in a game. Typically, teams are hesitant to activate players until they log multiple full practices in a row, but Means could potentially be an exception given how shorthanded the Saints are at wide receiver. If activated this week, Means would slot in as a starting receiver alongside Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Both pass-catchers lack fantasy appeal given significant uncertainty at the quarterback position.

According to Erin Summers of ESPN, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is trying to "get back into the swing of things" and is "not closing the door on his return at some point this season." Olave suffered his second concussion of the season during their Week 9 tilt against the Carolina Panthers. While the star wideout may face an uphill battle to return down the stretch, it is promising to see that the team is keeping the door open for him. However, with the Saints out of the playoff picture, the team may opt to sideline their No.1 pass coach if he does not make any significant progress over the next few weeks. Before this second concussion, Olave averaged just 50.0 yards per game but did tally at least 75.0 yards in four of his eight games. While Olave remains out, fantasy managers should expect Marquez Valdes-Scantling to operate as the lead wideout in the offense.