New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (hip, ribs) was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Friday. Fellow RB Kendre Miller (hamstring) was upgraded to full-go in practice after being limited on Wednesday. Kamara was listed with the same injuries last week before suiting up and touching the ball 26 times for 119 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in the Week 4 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The 29-year-old will most likely be cleared on Saturday to play on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. Kamara should continue to have high volume in the Saints' backfield, especially with Taysom Hill (ribs) looking doubtful to play after fracturing his ribs last weekend. Through four weeks in 2024, Kamara is the RB1 in fantasy in half-PPR scoring with 362 rushing yards and five touchdowns, adding 17 catches for 174 yards and another TD. He's a must-start against KC.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) is expected to miss some games, according to Clarence Hill Jr. Hill reported that Cowboys VP Steven Jones expressed that the No.2 wideout will miss some games due to his knee infection on 1053 The Fan. Cooks underwent an operation following their Week 4 victory over the New York Giants but faced a setback due to an infection caused by the procedure. Fantasy managers should monitor the veteran's status over the next few weeks but should find an alternative option for the foreseeable future. Jalen Tolbert is a strong candidate to serve as the No.2 pass receiver opposite of CeeDee Lamb and has performed well this season, catching at least three passes in three games. Tight Jake Ferguson should also see an uptick in targets during Cooks' absence.

Kansas City Chiefs running backs Kareem Hunt (shoulder) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) both practiced in a limited capacity on Friday afternoon. Both running backs were also limited participants during Thursday's session. Hunt made his 2024 season debut last weekend and operated as the lead runner in the Kansas City backfield, as he saw 14 carries. Edwards-Helaire has been on the reserve list through the early part of the season and logged his first practice of the season earlier this week. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor their status during Saturday's practice as it should provide clarity on their status heading into Monday's game. If Hunt can suit up, he should see the majority of attempts. However, if not, fantasy managers should expect Samaje Perine and Carson Steele to split the workload.

New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (ribs) was missing from practice for the second straight day this week on Friday. Hill fractured his ribs in the Week 4 loss to the division-rival Atlanta Falcons and is now looking doubtful to be able to play on Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs. He will need to return to some form of practice on Saturday to give himself a shot to suit up this week. Hill has already missed one game due to injury in 2024 and could be well on his way to another absence. The 34-year-old versatile offensive piece had his best game of the year last week, carrying the ball six times for 24 yards and two touchdowns, but he wasn't targeted in the passing attack. Hill has mostly been used as a runner (14 carries) moreso than a receiver (three targets) this year and remains a volatile boom/bust TE2 in fantasy when he's active.

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (forearm) was listed as limited in the team's first practice of the week on Thursday. Johnson's status carries a little more importance this week with tight end Taysom Hill (rib) dealing with rib fractures. Hill did not practice on Thursday and appears to be questionable to suit up on Monday night for a showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson could pick up an injury designation himself going into Monday's game, but he also has two more days to put in a full session, which could get him cleared. The 28-year-old would surely have more opportunities to catch passes from quarterback Derek Carr if Hill is ruled out this week, but he'd still be nothing more than a TE2 sleeper for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. Johnson has caught only four passes on six targets for 39 yards and one touchdown through the season's first four games.