We’re counting down to kickoff between the New Orleans Saints (3-10) and Carolina Panthers (7-6) at the Caesars Superdome, and the final injury report has given us an idea of who’s in, who’s out, and who has a chance to play in Week 15’s divisional rivalry game. Let’s break it down.
Ruled outRB Alvin Kamara. Kamara is managing a couple of different injuries to his knee and ankle, and this is his second consecutive game missed because of it. The Saints have expressed optimism he can return before the season is over but the clock is ticking. Have we already seen him play his last down in the NFL? Let’s hope not.RT Asim Richards. Richards suffered a high ankle sprain last Sunday which kept him from being able to practice all week, and he won’t be available against Carolina. That’s a hit to the depth chart even if he wasn’t going to start this one. Richards has been the go-to swing tackle for New Orleans whenever Taliese Fuaga or Kelvin Banks Jr. have missed time.QuestionableS Justin Reid. A knee injury kept Reid out of action last week, and up through Wednesday, but he did manage to practice on a limited basis Thursday and Friday. He’ll probably test it out pregame during warmups before the team makes a decision on whether or not to play him. If he can’t go, look for third-year pro Jordan Howden to start next to rookie draft pick Jonas Sanker, with veteran backup Terrell Burgess rounding out the group.AvailableRT Taliese Fuaga. This is big news. Fuaga has gone through the wringer this season while dealing with an inflamed knee ligament, a back injury, and lately, a sprained ankle. But he practiced on a limited basis to start the week before being upgraded to full reps on Friday. He’s on track to start this Sunday against the Panthers.RB Devin Neal. The rookie running back was limited throughout the week with an abdominal injury but upgraded to full participation for Friday’s practice. With Kamara out of action, it’ll continue to be Neal receiving the lion’s share of opportunities out of the backfield.DE Chris Rumph II. A wrist injury limited Rumph on Wednesday but he was back to full reps on Thursday and Friday. He’s made some plays in the edge rusher rotation behind Chase Young, Carl Granderson, and Cameron Jordan. Rumph will be a free agent in the spring and he’s going to be highly motivated to maximizes his opportunities down the stretch.DT Davon Godchaux. The Saints typically give Godchaux the day off on Thursdays, when they practice third downs and obvious passing situations, where the veteran run-stopper doesn’t often get many looks. He was full-go again on Friday and will be expected to play this Sunday.
All five Panthers players listed on the injury report are available to play on Sunday. That includes linebacker Claudin Cherelus (concussion), cornerback Jaycee Horn (concussion), center Cade Mays (ankle), safety Lathan Ransom (thumb), and linebacker Christian Rozeboom (hip/hamstring).