New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler will get one more go under center in the regular season finale. Regular starter Derek Carr (hand) did not practice this week and will be held out of the team's final game. Last week, Rattler looked incredible for the first half, going 11-for-13 with a touchdown and his only incompletions coming on a drop and a throwaway. His second half was disastrous, though, featuring nine completions on 23 attempts, two interceptions, and three sacks. New Orleans is faced with another opportunity to get their fifth-round pick some live-game experience and can be expected to give him a long leash once again. Fantasy managers should avoid the erratic rookie in Week 18, even against the QB-friendly Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thanks to an abundance of injuries, the Saints have almost no recognizable names left on offense, leaving Rattler with remarkably little help.

The New Orleans Saints have listed wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) as questionable to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Florida. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi said the decision on whether Olave plays will be "all-encompassing." Olave has been practicing in full for the last two weeks, but Saints have already been eliminated from the playoffs, and NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill says he'd be surprised if the 24-year-old is allowed to suit up. The former first-round pass-catcher hasn't played since suffering his second concussion of the season back in Week 9, so even if he were to return this weekend, he probably wouldn't see his usual number of snaps on offense. He'll need to come off Injured Reserve on Saturday if the Saints want to let him play. Olave had a 32-400-1 line in eight games before suffering his second concussion.

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (concussion) didn't practice all week and has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers after he suffered a concussion in the Week 17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Alvin Kamara (groin) is doubtful to play as well, which means Clyde Edwards-Helaire could lead the Saints' backfield against the Bucs this weekend, with veteran Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims also pitching in. The 22-year-old Miller dealt with more injuries in his sophomore season in the NFL after playing in only eight games as a rookie in 2023. The former TCU product played in just eight games in 2024 and had 39 rushing attempts for 148 yards and one touchdown, adding five catches for 33 yards. Miller's standing in the organization has likely soured after two injury-filled years to begin his career.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (hand) has officially been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, meaning rookie Spencer Rattler will make his sixth start of the year to wrap things up for the Saints. Carr suffered a fracture in his left (non-throwing) hand in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants and wasn't able to return to the field this year. The 33-year-old finishes up a disappointing second season in the Big Easy in which he battled multiple injuries yet again. In a career-low 10 games played in 2024, Carr also had career-lows in passing yards (2,145) and touchdowns (15) while throwing five interceptions. Given the Saints' salary cap situation heading into the future, it's likely they'll approach a contract restructure for Carr to return in 2025, where he could compete for the starting job with Rattler.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) is listed as doubtful to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kamara hasn't practiced or played since suffering an adductor injury in Week 15 and he's unlikely to see the field to close out the 2024 season this weekend. Head coach Darren Rizzi said Kamara will go through a workout on Saturday morning, at which point he'll likely be officially ruled out for Week 18. The lone incentive for the 29-year-old to play on Sunday is the fact that he's 50 yards from the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his NFL career. Still, it's unlikely he'll have a shot to reach that milestone. With Kendre Miller (concussion) already ruled out, it's looking like the Saints' backfield will be led by Clyde-Edwards Helaire, who made his team and season debut in Week 17.