New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

The New Orleans Saints listed tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) was listed as limited on Monday's estimated injury report as the team prepares for a Thursday night battle in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos. Hill missed his third game of the year and second straight in the Week 6 loss to the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but a limited listing in the first practice of the week suggests he could have a shot to return to face the Broncos in primetime on Thursday. When the 34-year-old does return, if quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) remains out, Hill could be in line for more usage as a running back or even QB out of New Orleans' backfield. He'd still be no better than a boom/bust TE2 in fantasy leagues, though, as an unpredictable do-it-all weapon for the Saints. Hill does have two rushing scores in three games this year but just 14 carries for 77 yards and two catches for two yards.

The New Orleans Saints listed running back Alvin Kamara (hand) as a limited participant on Monday's estimated injury report. The Saints could give Kamara some extra rest in practices on a short week ahead of a Thursday night tilt in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos, but he should be fine to play. The 29-year-old has been as close to a workhorse back as it gets in the NFL these days with 104 carries for 428 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and six rushing touchdowns, adding 28 receptions for 238 yards and another score through the air through six weeks. The five-time Pro Bowler had only 45 scrimmage yards in the Week 6 loss to the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but he saved his fantasy day with his seventh TD of the year. Kamara is second among all RBs in total fantasy points this year, behind only Derrick Henry, so fantasy managers should consider him a must-start in Week 7 against Denver.

The New Orleans Saints listed quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) as a non-participant on Monday's estimated injury report. Carr suffered a torn oblique in the Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and was quickly ruled out for the Week 6 loss to the division-rival Atlanta Falcons. The 33-year-old veteran was expected to miss multiple weeks with his injury, so fantasy managers should already be preparing for Carr to miss the Week 7 game, especially since it comes this Thursday night against the Denver Broncos. The good news is that Carr is expected to avoid Injured Reserve, meaning he should be back within the next couple of weeks. Rookie Spencer Rattler made his first career start in the loss to the Bucs and went 22-for-40 for 243 yards, a touchdown and two picks while adding four carries for 27 yards. He's in line to make his second straight start on Thursday and could struggle against what has been a stout Denver Broncos defense.

The New Orleans Saints listed wide receivers Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (knee) as DNPs on Monday's estimated injury report. The Saints have a quick turnaround in Week 7 and will face the Denver Broncos at home this Thursday night. It especially puts Olave's status up in the air given the fact that he'd need to pass through the league's concussion protocols very quickly in order to get the green light to play on Thursday. Fantasy managers should not be surprised at all if the 24-year-old sits out this week. With Shaheed also banged up, the Saints could be forced to use rookies Bub Means and Mason Tipton in expanded roles on Thursday alongside Cedrick Wilson Jr. Means took advantage in the Week 6 loss to the Buccaneers and had five catches on eight targets for 45 yards and his first NFL touchdown. Fantasy managers will want to monitor the situation with Olave and Shaheed in the next few days.

Wide receiver Bub Means scored his first touchdown as a pro in the Saints' 51-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The rookie out of Pitt snagged a ten-yard toss from fellow fifth-round pick Spencer Rattler as Means was heading out of the side of the end zone and got both feet down before his momentum carried him out of bounds. Means stepped into the game to replace Chris Olave (concussion) who left after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit on the Saints' third play of the game. Means ended up with 45 receiving yards and tied Alvin Kamara for the team lead in targets (eight) and receptions (five). With the Saints next playing on Thursday night, it is unlikely that Olave will be ready to go which would allow Means to continue where he left off. Before fantasy managers rush to the waiver wire, consider Rattler's inconsistent performance and that New Orleans will be facing the Denver Broncos who have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers.