New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (ankle) was limited for the second straight day ahead of the Week 7 matchup against the Denver Broncos. It appears Wilson picked up an ankle injury over the weekend and is uncertain to play this Thursday. Wilson has been quiet this season, but he posted his best game of the season last week. He hauled in two of his three targets for 28 yards in the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Normally, Wilson would be a non-factor in the offense, but the Saints are banged up right now. Both Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) are on the injury report and in danger of missing Thursday's game. If that happens, Wilson could end up with a bigger role in the offense.

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) was limited on Tuesday for the second straight day this week and could have a shot to return to action this Thursday night when the team hosts the Denver Broncos to kick off Week 7 action. If Hill is active this week, the 34-year-old Swiss Army knife could see more run either under center or in the backfield with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler expected to make his second career start with Derek Carr (oblique) sidelined. However, we still wouldn't recommend Hill for starting fantasy lineups in most leagues as an unpredictable gadget player essentially. He's also missed three games due to injury this year, including the last two weeks. Hill does have two TDs in three games in 2024, but it's come on just 14 carries for 77 yards while adding two catches for two yards.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (hand) was limited in practice on Tuesday for the second day on a short week as the team prepares for a Thursday night matchup against the visiting Denver Broncos. On a short week, the Saints are likely just giving their star running back a little extra rest. The matchup in Week 7 against the Broncos isn't a great one, and Kamara's upside should be tempered again with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler in line to make his second NFL start. However, as long as Kamara is active on Thursday, which he should be, he is a must-start in fantasy lineups. Kamara is currently the RB2 in fantasy points with 104 carries (fourth-most) for 428 yards (seventh-most) and six touchdowns (tied for second-most). His 28 receptions and 238 receiving yards lead all RBs.

New Orleans Saints wide receivers Rashid Shaheed (knee) and Chris Olave (concussion) did not practice on Tuesday. Both players exited the Saints' Week 6 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a little banged up. While Olave has been an inconsistent fantasy asset, Shaheed has been excellent this season and is currently the WR22. He has also seen at least seven targets in three straight games. Olave on the other hand is the WR47 in fantasy. He only posted three points in Week 5 and his injury caused him to finish with -0.5 points in Week 6. However, both players are essential to the success of the Saints' offense as they get ready to face a tough Denver Broncos defense in Week 7. Given that this game will be played on Thursday Night, both players seem to be in high danger of missing this contest. Olave's status is especially in jeopardy given that he is in the concussion protocol and has not begun practicing. The absence of both players would boost the value of wide receivers Bub Means and Mason Tipton along with tight end Juwan Johnson. It would also likely force the Saints to have a heavy reliance on running back Alvin Kamara (hand)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) was a DNP at practice on Tuesday. Carr was originally reported to likely miss multiple weeks so his practice status comes as no surprise. The Saints play on Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos and Carr's lack of practice suggests that he is on his way to missing another week. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler threw for 243 yards and a touchdown in place of Carr in Week 6. He posted a poor QBR of 27.9. Prior to his injury, Carr had racked up 989 passing yards and eight touchdowns in five games. His completion percentage of 70.3 is excellent but Carr struggled over his past couple of games. For now, the Saints will have to hope that Rattler can pick up his play as Carr continues to heal.