New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that rookie wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) will not play in Week 14 against the New York Giants on Sunday. Rizzi said the Saints knew that Means would be limited in his first week back from Injured Reserve this week, so it doesn't come as much of a surprise that they didn't feel he was ready to return to action. The 23-year-old has been on IR since Nov. 2 due to a high-ankle sprain he suffered in the Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Means was limited in practice on Wednesday before sitting out on Thursday and Friday, so it's possible he might have even encountered a setback with his ankle. There's no guarantee Means will be back in Week 15 against the Washington Commanders, and when he does return, he could struggle to find consistent targets.

Despite receiving a questionable tag for the Week 14 game on Sunday against the New York Giants, New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) is expected to be activated off Injured Reserve and play. The second-year back out of TCU hasn't played since Week 8 and has only seen action in two games in 2024, carrying the ball nine times for 52 yards while catching two passes for one yard. The 22-year-old has mostly been injured since the Saints took him in the third round in 2023, as Miller has appeared in just 10 total games. However, he's averaged 5.8 yards per carry in his limited sample size earlier this year and could be given a decent role down the stretch behind Alvin Kamara with tight end Taysom Hill (knee) out for the rest of the season. Expect Miller to be the RB3 behind Kamara and Jamaal Williams on Sunday against the Giants, but his role could grow over the next four weeks.

The New Orleans Saints officially placed tight end Taysom Hill (knee) on Injured Reserve on Friday. In addition to suffering an ACL tear in last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Hill also suffered additional damage to his left knee and will miss the remainder of the 2024 season. It's a tough blow for the 34-year-old and the Saints offense after Hill had 188 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns just two weeks ago. He did it all for the Saints on offense and special teams and will be sorely missed the rest of the way, which should lead to even more volume for running back Alvin Kamara. Hill's fantasy value was peaking just before his injury. He should have already been dropped in redraft leagues, and Hill's availability for the start of the 2025 season could be in jeopardy. Tight end Juwan Johnson becomes stream-worthy in Week 14 against the Giants with six teams on bye.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) logged a full practice on Friday, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Cooks opened the week as a limited participant, but seeing him already upgrade to full participation suggests he will not have an injury designation for Monday night's game. Cooks returned from his seven-game absence on Thanksgiving and caught three of his seven targets for 16 yards and a score. Cooks was sidelined due to a knee infection he suffered following a minor procedure. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during Saturday's practice, but he should be expected to suit up on Monday. Despite his modest output last weekend, fantasy managers should view him as a solid WR3, as he will likely operate as the No.2 wideout in the Dallas passing attack going forward.

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said on Wednesday that wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) is scheduled to meet with a specialist next week. Rizzi also said Olave is in "great spirits" and that he's been present for practice in recent weeks as he recovers from his second concussion of 2024. The Saints placed the former first-rounder on Injured Reserve after he suffered his second concussion against the division-rival Carolina Panthers in Week 9. He has one more week before he's eligible to return from IR for Week 15 against the Washington Commanders, but it remains unclear if the Saints will activate him by then, and it will likely depend on what specialists say next week. Whether Olave returns at all this year could depend on whether the Saints are alive in the postseason race when Olave is ready to return. New Orleans is currently 4-8 but only two games back in their division.