How Will the New Orleans Saints Manage Without Alvin Kamara?

Alvin Kamara is currently having a career-best season. The running back has been a consistent performer for the New Orleans Saints ever since he was drafted back in 2017.

Kamara, who leads his team for both rushing and receiving yards, has been the most potent offensive weapon at the Saints’ disposal. 

His 155-yard rushing performance against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16 grabbed headlines recently for all the right reasons. With 6 touchdowns to end the night, Kamara now has 16 rushing and 5 receiving touchdowns to his name for the season.

With the form he’s in, Kamara was looking set to finish the season with 1,000+ rushing yards to his name for the first time in his career.

But a recent positive COVID test derailed his ambition and has dented the Saints’ hopes of grabbing the top seed in the NFC as well.

Absence of Alvin Kamara a hefty blow for top seed hopes

Due to the positive test report, Alvin Kamara will have to self isolate and miss out on the team’s crucial final game of the regular season. Currently asymptomatic, the 25-year-old is a doubt for the Saints’ first playoff game as well.  

With the top seed in the NFC being a 2-way-race between the New Orleans Saints and the Green Bay Packers, there’s little room for error heading into the final gameweek.

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For the Saints, it’s a must-win game against the Carolina Panthers. Even then, the New Orleans side will have to hope for a Packers loss in their game against the Chicago Bears to clinch the all-important top seed.

Many, however, question just how good the Saints’ offense can be without the dynamic running back. In the running for the 2020 offensive player of the year, Kamara has led the Saints offense admirably as star wide receiver Michael Thomas continues to battle with an ankle injury.

How do the Saints replace their best offensive weapon?

The New Orleans Saints have options on the bench. While none are expected to be as prolific as Kamara, there is hope that they can do their bit in sneaking a victory against the Panthers. 

People are expecting fellow running back Latavius Murray to lead the team from the backfield in their final regular-season game. Murray had done well when deputizing for Kamara back in 2019 when Kamara was out with an injury.

And with the solid O-line that the Saints possess, Murray should get the small pockets of space he needs to make explosive plays. 

Saints quarterback Drew Brees will have to rely heavily on Emmanuel Sanders and Jared Cook when it comes to the passing game with both Thomas and Alvin Kamara missing.

The New Orleans Saints definitely have the tools to pull off a win against the Panthers. But if he is to miss the team’s first playoff game as well, the Saints will have some big decisions to make. 

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