New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Running back Alvin Kamara was the primary beneficiary of the New Orleans Saints offense being depleted by injuries in Week 9. Kamara ceded five carries to Taysom Hill but set new season-highs with 29 attempts for 155 rushing yards. With multiple receivers out, including an early exit by Chris Olave (concussion), Kamara's ability as a receiver took on added importance and he led the team in receptions and yardage, too. In Week 10, the situation is largely the same with Williams designated as questionable, Olave still ailing, and Cedrick Wilson Jr. (shoulder) also declared out. Thus, Kamara is in line for another big workload as both a runner and receiver against the Falcons. When the NFC South rivals squared off in Week 4, Kamara came away with 26 touches, 119 total yards, and a touchdown. He is a must-start in Week 10.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr returned to action in Week 9 after an oblique injury sidelined him for the previous three weeks. In his return, he went 18-for-31 for 236 yards and one touchdown against the Panthers. It was the first time since Week 1 (also against Carolina) that Carr escaped a game without throwing an interception. In Week 10, Carr will face the Atlanta Falcons, who represent a somewhat forgiving matchup. Atlanta has given up 15 passing touchdowns in 2024 and has fewer sacks (nine) than any other team in the league. The biggest obstacle Carr will have to overcome on Sunday is the lack of healthy receivers. Chris Olave (concussion) and Cedrick Wilson Jr. (shoulder) are the latest of the Saints' pass catchers to be sidelined due to injury, leaving Carr the likes of rookies Mason Tipton and Jermaine Jackson, and journeyman Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Calling Carr a QB2 this week is generous given his circumstances and he should only be considered in two-quarterback formats.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) has officially been ruled out for the Week 10 game against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons this Sunday. Olave suffered his second concussion of the season and fourth of his career in the Week 9 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and could still land on Injured Reserve, which would require him to miss a minimum of four games. He visited with head specialists this week and is probably going to miss several games at the very least. Fantasy managers should plan for the worst, which would be a trip to IR. Rashid Shaheed (knee) and rookie Bub Means (ankle) are both out for the season, leaving rookie Mason Tipton, Cedrick Wilson Jr. (shoulder) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling as the team's starters at wideout this weekend. The Saints will be leaning more on tight ends Taysom Hill and Juwan Johnson and running back Alvin Kamara much more.

New Orleans Saints wide receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Cedrick Wilson Jr. (shoulder) both missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday. Olave suffered his second concussion of the year in the Week 9 loss to the division-rival Carolina Panthers and had to be carted off. The 24-year-old has met with specialists this week and doesn't appear ready to return for Week 10 versus the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. Fantasy managers may want to prepare for a multi-week absence from Olave. With Wilson also trending in the wrong direction for the weekend, rookie Mason Tipton could be quarterback Derek Carr's top target in addition to Marquez Valdes-Scantling and tight end Juwan Johnson. Expect the Saints to lean more heavily on running back Alvin Kamara and tight end Taysom Hill with Olave looking unlikely to play.

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said on Wednesday that wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) will go "thoroughly" through the league's concussion protocol. "We're more worried about Chris Olave the person at the moment," Rizzi said. The former first-rounder is visiting with head specialists this week, and no decision has been made yet on whether he'll be placed on Injured Reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. The 24-year-old suffered his second concussion of the year and the fourth of his career in the Week 9 loss to the Dallas Cowboys and was quickly ruled out after being carted off. It didn't look good. With the Saints considering putting him on IR, fantasy managers should expect Olave to miss multiple weeks, including Week 10 versus the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. With Olave hurt, rookie Mason Tipton should continue playing heavy snaps.