New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

According to Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (illness) did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status throughout the week in case the illness prevents him from practicing later on. Last weekend, during this victory over the New York Giants, the 29-year-old tallied 44 yards on 17 attempts and added 35 yards on five receptions. Despite not finding the end zone in each of his past seven contests, Kamara has still been very productive due to his high-volume role, averaging 16.0 PPR points per game. If Kamara cannot return to practice later in the week, fantasy managers should expect Kendre Miller to get the starting nod against the Washington Commanders. Last weekend, Miller ran for 32 yards and a score and would be a viable RB2 in Kamara's absence.

According to Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (hand/concussion) is dealing with both a concussion and hand injury and is being treated as both "day-to-day and week-to-week." While Carr was already expected to miss several weeks, this update still leaves the door open for Carr to return sometime later this season. The veteran QB sustained these injuries last weekend during their victory over the New York Giants. While he has not yet been officially ruled out for Week 15's tilt against the Washington Commanders, fantasy managers relying on Carr should look for an alternative option as he will face a tough battle to suit up. While he has battled numerous injuries this season, Carr has tallied 16 total scores across ten games. While sidelined, either Jake Haener or Spencer Rattler will likely operate as the QB1 and should only be deployed in deep Superflex formats.UPDATE: Carr didn't practice on Wednesday.

The New Orleans Saints are down to quarterbacks Jake Haener and rookie Spencer Rattler with Derek Carr (concussion, hand) potentially done for the season. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler thinks Haener is well positioned to get the start in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders after replacing Carr in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants. The Saints have yet to make a decision on their starting QB for this Sunday, though, and want to gauge how both Haener and Rattler handle the practice week. New Orleans remains bullish on the future of Rattler after he started three games for an injured Carr earlier this season. However, Haener has more experience and knows how to move the ball downfield, which could give him the nod, at least this week. Either way the Saints go, their QB will be a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues, at best.

The New Orleans Saints have signed free-agent quarterback Ben DiNucci to their practice squad on Tuesday. The 28-year-old hasn't played this season after being waived by the Buffalo Bills in August. DiNucci was on the Denver Broncos practice squad last season, but he never appeared in any games. In fact, DiNucci hasn't played in an NFL game since the 2020 season with the Dallas Cowboys. The Saints were in need of a third string quarterback after Derek Carr (hand) went out of action. DiNucci is unlikely to touch the field with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener healthy and ahead of him on the depth chart.

The Carolina Panthers signed wide receiver/running back Velus Jones Jr. to the active roster from the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The 27-year-old was a third-round pick by the Chicago Bears in 2022 out of Tennessee and totaled just 135 receiving yards and 165 rushing yards in two-plus seasons with the organization. It will be interesting to see what plans Carolina has for him, as the team could use help and wide receiver and running back. Ball carriers Jonathon Brooks (knee) and Raheem Blacksheer (chest) were both injured in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Either way, it would be a surprise if Jones ends up on the fantasy football radar.