New Orleans Saints News

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Blake Grupe  • K  •  Saints

Blake Grupe Unappealing In Week 16

New Orleans Saints kicker Blake Grupe went 2-for-2 on field goal attempts and converted his sole extra point try in Week 15. Grupe was good from 41 and 51 yards away and he is now 14-for-16 from 40 or more yards out. It was an encouraging effort after his 0-for-2 showing in Week 14. Despite the rebound, Grupe is not a recommended start in Week 16 when the Saints take on the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. The weather at Lambeau Field is expected to be wet, windy, and cold, which is far from ideal for a kicker used to kicking in the optimal conditions provided by a domed stadium. Pass on Grupe this week but keep an eye on his availability as he may be useful in Week 17 when New Orleans faces the Las Vegas Raiders.
12 hours ago   
Juwan Johnson  • TE  •  Saints

Juwan Johnson Off Injury Report For Week 16

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (foot) was limited in practice to start the week but participated in full on Saturday. He carries no designation going into the team's game against the Green Bay Packers on Monday. Chris Olave (concussion), Bub Means (ankle), and Alvin Kamara (groin) are out and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness) is listed as questionable, leaving the Saints light on offense. This could translate to a bigger day than usual for Johnson. The Packers' defense ranks in the bottom ten in receptions, receiving yards, and fantasy points per game allowed to opposing tight ends. Unfortunately, Johnson's upside is in doubt with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler filling in for Derek Carr (hand). When Carr missed three weeks earlier this season, Johnson averaged 4.3 targets, three catches, and 38 yards per game with Rattler under center. Johnson projects to be a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE2 for Week 16.
12 hours ago   
Kevin Austin Jr.  • WR  •  Saints

Kevin Austin Jr. May See More Action On MNF

With so many injuries to the New Orleans Saints wide receiver room, Kevin Austin Jr. might be the team's next primary pass-catcher. Chris Olave (concussion) has yet to clear the concussion protocol and Bub Means (ankle) is facing a potentially season-ending setback, both of whom have been listed as out. Joining them on the injury report this week is Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest/illness), who is questionable for Monday's game against the Green Bay Packers. This leaves Austin, along with Cedrick Wilson Jr., Dante Pettis, and Mason Tipton as the only healthy wide receivers on the Saints. Over the Saints' last four games, Austin has been second in snaps at the position only to Valdes-Scantling. Unfortunately, Austin's ascension up the depth chart coincides with a Spencer Rattler start due to Derek Carr's (hand) Week 14 injuries forcing him out for another game, which will limit Austin's already low ceiling. In five games on the Saints' active roster, Austin has eight catches for 98 yards on 15 targets.
12 hours ago   
Chris Olave  • WR  •  Saints

Chris Olave Out For Week 16

The New Orleans Saints have decided to keep wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) on the sidelines for at least one more week. New Orleans opened his window for activation from injured reserve on Thursday but Olave has yet to complete his progress through the league's concussion protocol. He is listed as out on the team's official injury report ahead of their Week 16 game against the Green Bay Packers. Olave was placed on injured reserve after suffering his second concussion of the season in Week 9, which took place just three weeks after his previous concussion. It was the fourth such injury in the 24-year-old's three years as a pro. In comments to the media, interim head coach Darren Rizzi said of Olave's potential return, "If he can make it back for the end of the year, great. If he doesn't, he doesn't," indicating the team is in no rush to bring him back in 2024.
12 hours ago   
Marquez Valdes-Scantling  • WR  •  Saints

Marquez Valdes-Scantling Questionable For Week 16

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is listed as questionable for the team's Monday night matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Valdes-Scantling did not practice all week. Originally sidelined on Thursday with a chest injury, he was also dealing with an illness that kept him out of the subsequent practices. With Rashid Shaheed (knee) on injured reserve, Chris Olave (concussion) not yet ready to return, and Bub Means (ankle) facing a potential shutdown, the Saints are already thin at wide receiver. If MVS can take the field, fantasy managers cannot expect more of the big plays that made him an alluring flex over the last few weeks. With Derek Carr (hand) nursing injuries of his own, rookie Spencer Rattler will take over under center, downgrading the entire New Orleans offense. Should Valdes-Scantling sit for Week 16, the team will turn to Kevin Austin Jr., Cedrick Wilson Jr., and Dante Pettis to step up.
12 hours ago   
Jamaal Williams  • RB  •  Saints

Jamaal Williams Still A Fade With Kamara Out

Running back Jamaal Williams could see more time on the field when the New Orleans Saints face the Green Bay Packers on Monday. Alvin Kamara (groin) has been declared out after suffering an injured adductor in Week 15. Fellow backup Kendre Miller shouldered the backfield load for the rest of the way in that game and is expected to start against Green Bay. Even with the plethora of injuries dealt to the Saints all season, the team has been reluctant to work Williams into the mix. Williams has been on the field for a total of 13 offensive snaps since the Saints' Week 12 bye. With Kamara out, Williams may step in more frequently though his body of work in 2024 offers little hope for fantasy managers. In 11 games, Williams has averaged 3.7 yards per carry on 35 rushes and has seen only nine targets. He is an easy fade in Week 16 against a Packers defense that has allowed a league-best 3.46 yards per carry over the last four weeks.
12 hours ago   
Kendre Miller  • RB  •  Saints

Kendre Miller Set Up For Lead Role

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller should operate as the team's primary option out of the backfield in Week 16. Lead running back Alvin Kamara (groin) exited last week's game against the Commanders and was later diagnosed with an adductor injury and did not practice at all this week. After Kamara's early departure in the fourth quarter, Miller took over the backfield getting eight carries before the end of the game. He finished with a total of nine rushes for 46 yards. The second-year man out of TCU appears to have leapfrogged veteran Jamaal Williams, who saw just four offensive snaps against Washington. Even though Miller is suddenly the top dog in New Orleans, it may not translate to fantasy success on Monday night when the Saints face Green Bay. Over the last four weeks, the Packers have held opposing running backs to the eighth-fewest rushing yards and a league-leading 3.46 yards per carry. Miller projects as a high-end RB3 in Week 16.
13 hours ago   
Bub Means  • WR  •  Saints

Bub Means Likely Out For Rest Of Season

New Orleans Saints coach Darren Rizzi said wide receiver Bub Means (ankle) had a setback and probably won't return this season. Means filled in this season for a depleted wide receiver corps for the Saints and recorded nine catches for 118 yards and a touchdown. He will look to next season to recover and be back fully healthy. He never completely emerged as a fantasy-relevant option during his rookie year.
23 hours ago   
Derek Carr  • QB  •  Saints  |  Spencer Rattler  • QB  •  Saints

Spencer Rattler To Start With Derek Carr Out

New Orleans quarterback Spencer Rattler will start in place of injured starter Derek Carr (hand). Carr did not progress enough during the week to get back to active status for the Week 16 game at Green Bay on Monday night. Rattler spelled Jake Haener last week after Haener earned the start against Washington in Carr's absence. Rattler was much more effective with 135 passing yards and a touchdown in relief and Haener will serve as the backup on Monday night. Rattler has completed 69 of 120 passes for 706 yards with two passing touchdowns and two interceptions this season. The matchup at Green Bay will be a tough one in frigid weather against a very solid pass defense in the Packers. Look for other fantasy options than Rattler at the position.
23 hours ago   
Alvin Kamara  • RB  •  Saints

Alvin Kamara Ruled Out For Week 16

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) has been ruled out by the team for Week 16's game at Green Bay. Kamara will miss the matchup with the Packers this week and look to rebound to be available for Week 17 against Las Vegas. Kendre Miller will be the lead back for the Saints in Week 16. Kamara has 228 rushes for 950 rushing yards and six rushing TDs this season. He also has 68 catches for 543 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns this year. He has been one of the most productive fantasy running backs this season so his absence is a crushing blow for the fantasy playoffs. Miller has a decent matchup in Week 16 and looks like a must-add waiver-wire option for fantasy managers.
23 hours ago   
Juwan Johnson  • TE  •  Saints

Juwan Johnson Limited Again On Friday

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (foot) was limited in practice on Friday for the second straight day this week. Johnson was also on the injury report last week with the same injury, but he played through it in the Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders and caught two of his three targets for only 12 yards while playing 71 percent of the offensive snaps. The Saints offense is incredibly beat up right now and might be without star running back Alvin Kamara (groin) and quarterback Derek Carr (hand) for the final three games of the regular season. In addition, receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest, illness) is up in the air, which means the 28-year-old Johnson could be rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler's top target on Monday night versus the Green Bay Packers. Still, Johnson would have little upside as a TE2 in fantasy semifinal matchups in Week 16.
Yesterday   
Marquez Valdes-Scantling  • WR  •  Saints  |  Bub Means  • WR  •  Saints

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Bub Means Miss Another Practice

New Orleans Saints wide receivers Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest, illness) and rookie Bub Means (ankle) missed practice for the second straight day this week on Friday. On top of a chest injury, Valdes-Scantling is now dealing with an illness, putting his status in question for the Monday night game at the Green Bay Packers in Week 16. Both MVS and Means will need to practice in some capacity on Saturday to avoid being ruled out entirely this week. Means hasn't played since Week 8 and remains on Injured Reserve, so he's almost certainly going to be ruled out. First-rounder Chris Olave (head) has resumed practicing but also remains on IR and is unlikely to play Monday. If Valdes-Scantling doesn't get cleared to play, the Saints will be down to Cedrick Wilson Jr., Kevin Austin Jr. and rookie Mason Tipton as their top three receivers. It's a situation to avoid in fantasy.
Yesterday   
Chris Olave  • WR  •  Saints

Chris Olave Stays Limited On Friday

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (head) was limited for the second straight day this week on Friday as he tries to work his way back from Injured Reserve. Olave had his 21-day practice window to return from IR opened on Thursday. The 24-year-old is making progress after suffering multiple concussions earlier this season, but interim head coach Darren Rizzi already stated that the former first-rounder is "probably doubtful" to make his return in Week 16 on Monday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Fantasy managers stashing Olave that are still alive in the playoffs shouldn't have been considering Olave as a realistic starting option anyways on Monday night. If Olave is able to make his return in Week 17 (fantasy championships in most leagues) versus the Las Vegas Raiders, he'll likely be on a snap count with rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler most likely running the offense.
Yesterday   
Derek Carr  • QB  •  Saints

Derek Carr Picks Up Another DNP On Friday

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (hand) was listed as a non-participant in practice on Friday for the second straight day this week. Carr has been cleared from the league's concussion protocol but he remains out of practice due to a left-hand fracture that he suffered in the Week 14 win over the New York Giants. The 33-year-old veteran signal-caller hasn't been put on Injured Reserve yet, which would officially end his season, and he's doing everything in his power to try and play again in 2024. However, with the Saints barely clinging onto slim playoff hopes, it's unlikely we'll see Carr back on the field again in the final three weeks for the Saints. When/if Carr is officially ruled out for Week 16 on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers, rookie Spencer Rattler is expected to make his fourth start of the year. Look for Carr to be officially ruled out on Saturday's final injury report.
Yesterday   
Alvin Kamara  • RB  •  Saints

Alvin Kamara Misses Another Practice On Friday

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Friday. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi said on Thursday that Kamara is unlikely to play on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers in Week 16, and with the Saints barely clinging to faint playoff hopes, there's a chance we don't see Kamara again this season over the final three weeks. Fantasy managers still battling for a championship will unfortunately be without the 29-year-old back this weekend. Second-year RB Kendre Miller has had a tough time staying healthy in his year plus in the NFL, but he's healthy now and should serve as New Orleans' primary backfield option at Lambeau Field on Monday night, giving him at least RB3/flex value in fantasy lineups this week. Veteran Jamaal Williams will serve as his backup.
Yesterday   
Derek Carr  • QB  •  Saints

Derek Carr Wants To Return This Season

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (hand) wants to return before the end of the 2024 regular season, according to Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune. Carr has been sidelined since the waning minutes of Week 14, and it appears the Saints are leaving the door open for him to start in Week 16. Even if he doesn't recover in time to suit up on Sunday, the veteran quarterback has communicated to interim head coach Darren Rizzi that he wants to play again this season. If active in time for Week 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Carr would rank as a mid-range fantasy QB2.
2 days ago   
Derek Carr  • QB  •  Saints  |  Spencer Rattler  • QB  •  Saints

Spencer Rattler To Start On Monday If Derek Carr Can't Play

New Orleans Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler is expected to start in Week 16 if Derek Carr (hand) isn't able to play, according to ESPN's Katherine Terrell. Carr faces an uphill battle to play, but the Saints are leaving the door open for him to suit up against the Green Bay Packers. Regardless of who starts next Sunday night, neither quarterback is a reliable option for fantasy purposes in leagues with 14 or fewer teams. Carr has just one turnover over his last five games but has delivered subpar production in fantasy football. Meanwhile, Rattler came off the bench last week and went on to tally 135 passing yards and one touchdown. This news is equally noteworthy for Kendre Miller, Juwan Johnson, and Cedrick Wilson, whose fantasy values hinge on reliable production at the quarterback position.
2 days ago   
Chris Olave  • WR  •  Saints

Saints Open Chris Olave's Practice Window

New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi said that wide receiver Chris Olave's (concussion) 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve was opened on Thursday. Olave was cleared by a concussion specialist on Tuesday to resume practicing, so he will get some practice reps in this week and see how things go from there. It's good news for Olave, but it by no means should indicate that he will play in Week 16 against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. And from a fantasy perspective, although he might still be worth stashing if you're alive in the fantasy playoffs, nobody should have their eyes on using him in lineups this week. At best, he'd likely draw a questionable tag to play on Monday night. And even if Olave looks good in practice the next few days and ends up being active, he'd be at risk of a limited role in his first game back. The Saints are on the brink of elimination and aren't going to risk Olave's health.
3 days ago   
Alvin Kamara  • RB  •  Saints

Alvin Kamara Could Be Done For The Season

The New Orleans Saints are still evaluating injured running back Alvin Kamara (groin), but sources are saying it's a possible season-ending injury with only three games left to play with little chance at advancing to the postseason. The Saints are already saying that it's unlikely Kamara will play on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers after he injured his groin in last week's one-point loss to the Washington Commanders. More proof that the 29-year-old could be done for the year is the fact that the Saints signed Clyde Edwards-Helaire for more depth earlier this week. If you haven't already done so, Kamara's fantasy managers need to immediately add Kendre Miller if he's available. Although the Saints are down to rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler as well, the volume Miller sees alone as New Orleans' top back the rest of the way should at least put him in the flex conversation in fantasy leagues.
3 days ago   
Spencer Rattler  • QB  •  Saints

Spencer Rattler To Start For Saints In Week 16

The New Orleans Saints announced on Thursday that rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will make the start on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. This was the expected decision from the Saints after they benched Jake Haener for Rattler in the Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders. Derek Carr (concussion, hand) is unlikely to play again this year, especially with the Saints unlikely to make the playoffs, so Rattler should start each of the team's final three games of the season. The 24-year-old almost led the Saints to a remarkable comeback against Washington last Sunday, going 10-for-21 for 135 yards and a touchdown. In three starts earlier in 2024, the rookie out of South Carolina completed 59.6% of his passes with a touchdown and two picks. He'll have a tough matchup in Green Bay, and with the lack of weapons around him, he'll be a low-end QB2 play, at best, in fantasy.
3 days ago   
LEGEND
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