New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (hip) is officially active for Week 9 on Sunday versus the division-rival Carolina Panthers after being listed as questionable to play on Friday's final injury report. Wilson didn't practice on Wednesday before putting in limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. Rookie Bub Means (ankle) is out, but Wilson will still be competing for targets behind Chris Olave with Rashid Shaheed (knee) out for the rest of the season. Quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) is making his return for the Saints on Sunday, but rookie Mason Tipton could be New Orleans' WR2 over Wilson. The 28-year-old won't be a recommended fantasy play in Week 9, even in a great matchup against Carolina. Through seven games this year, Wilson has only nine catches on 11 targets for 88 yards and one touchdown.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) and running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) have been placed on the injured reserve on Saturday. The Saints are going to be thin on depth as the injuries keep piling up on them. The absence of Means should give Marquez Valdes-Scantling more snaps, but fantasy managers shouldn't trust him as a reliable option. Miller has missed most of the season, but returned for each of the last two games. Now, Alvin Kamara should see a heavy workload with Miller out and Jamaal Williams (groin) doubtful to play. Kamara should be an elite fantasy option against the below average Carolina Panthers defense.

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe converted field goal attempts from 40 and 43 yards out in Week 8 before missing a 44-yarder in the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers. It was his first missed field goal attempt of the season. He was not able to try for an extra point as the Saints were held out of the end zone in the 26-8 loss and remains a perfect 20-for-20 on the season. In Week 9, Grupe and the Saints take on the Panthers in a rematch of their Week 1 blowout wherein Grupe had his highest-scoring game of the season. In that matchup, he converted five extra points and had four field goals, including two from over 50 yards away. New Orleans figures to put up big numbers once more against Carolina's soft defense, paving the way for another big day for Grupe. Fantasy managers in need of a streaming option can plug him into their Week 9 lineups.

New Orleans Saints quarterback/tight end Taysom Hill caught two of his four targets for 21 yards, took four carries for 20 yards, and completed his lone pass attempt for a three-yard gain in Week 8 against the Chargers. He also forced a fumble while playing on special teams that resulted in a safety. It was his first game back after a three-week absence due to a rib injury and featured his heaviest usage yet. In Week 9, Hill is suited for an even bigger game. Another week removed from injury, Hill will be facing the Panthers who have allowed the most fantasy points to both running backs and tight ends in 2024. With Jamaal Williams (groin) doubtful and Kendre Miller (hamstring) already out, Hill will likely act as Alvin Kamara's primary backup. Hill's atypical usage makes his boom games difficult to predict but conditions are favorable in Week 9, making him worthy of a stream for managers needing a solution at tight end.

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson had three catches for 48 yards in Week 8, matching his season highs in both categories set in Week 6. Johnson is in line to better those numbers in Week 9 when the Saints go up against the Carolina Panthers, who have allowed more fantasy points per game and touchdowns to opposing tight ends than any other team. In Week 1 against the Panthers Johnson had two catches for 26 yards and his only touchdown of the season to date. Johnson showed good rapport with quarterback Spencer Rattler while he filled in for Derek Carr (oblique) but he will be better served by the former, who is set to return to action for the first time since Week 5. Johnson might be viable as a streamer in fantasy lineups tested by injuries and bye weeks and is an intriguing option for DFS players.