New Orleans Saints DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (knee) was a limited participant during practice on Thursday. This was the second day in a row that he had limited involvement. The 28-year-old has not yet missed a game this season, amassing 44 catches, 468 yards, and three touchdowns through 16 contests. His production seemed to be declining with Derek Carr (hand) sidelined, but that changed last week as he caught six of 10 targets for 66 yards through the air. If he can maintain this type of workload in Week 18, Johnson will be a viable low-end TE1 in fantasy football.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (hand) missed his second straight practice of the week on Thursday as he continues to rehab from a broken left (non-throwing) hand that he suffered in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants. Carr has held out hope all along that he'd be able to return before the end of the regular season, but it's looking increasingly likely that he'll miss his fourth straight game in Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 33-year-old veteran signal-caller has dealt with more injuries in 2024 and is going to finish with only 2,145 passing yards, a career-low 15 touchdowns and five interceptions in 10 starts in his second year in New Orleans. With Carr most likely being ruled out on Friday, rookie Spencer Rattler will close out the year as the Saints' starter under center.

New Orleans Saints running backs Alvin Kamara (groin) and Kendre Miller (concussion) both missed practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. Kamara suffered an adductor injury in the Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders and hasn't practiced or played since. The 29-year-old continues to say he wants to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that's looking more and more unlikely by the day. Miller, meanwhile, suffered a concussion in last week's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and is also trending toward sitting out the final game of the season. If both Kamara and Miller are ruled out for Week 18 on Friday's final injury report, look for the Saints to mostly lean on Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the backfield, with Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims serving in backup roles.

According to the team, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) practiced in full again on Thursday. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status during Friday's practice as he may not only be nearing a return but could avoid an injury designation as well. The star wideout has been sidelined since suffering his second concussion of the season during Week 9. Olave has begun to practice the past few weeks but has yet to officially clear the league's protocol. During his limited action this season, the Ohio State product has still been productive, as he has surpassed 80.0 receiving yards in four of the six full games he participated in. Even playing in a struggling offense, Olave would remain a solid WR2 in all formats operating as the clear WR1 in Week 18 facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (knee) practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday prior to the Week 18 finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran tight end is coming off his best game of the year and led the team in receiving, but times are bleak for the Saints. Johnson has a nice matchup against a Tampa Bay defense that ranks in the bottom 10 against fantasy tight ends, but with Derek Carr (left hand), Alvin Kamara (groin), and Chris Olave (head) all dealing with injuries and the Saints having little incentive to go all out, Johnson should be viewed as a TE2 option if he plays.