Questionable but Crucial: Kamara’s Injury Looms Large for New Orleans

The New Orleans Saints are holding their breath ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Patriots, as star running back Alvin Kamara is questionable with an ankle injury suffered late in last week’s 26–14 win over the Giants. Kamara appeared to tweak his right ankle in the fourth quarter after being tackled on a short run. He stayed in but was noticeably limping by the game’s end.

The injury kept Kamara limited in practice all week, and head coach Kellen Moore said the team will monitor him closely during warmups. If he can’t start, Chase Young is expected to take the lead role in the backfield.

Kamara’s absence would be a major blow. He remains the centerpiece of New Orleans’ offense and is a dual-threat weapon who forces defenses to adjust every snap. 

With the team just beginning to find rhythm after earning its first win of the season, Kamara’s status looms large. His availability could determine whether the Saints’ offense stays balanced or struggles to keep pace this weekend.

According to ESPN, Kamara is presumed to start but still questionable. If Kamara sits or is limited, New Orleans will need to find creativity fast. 

Big Questions for Sunday

• Can the Saints run effectively enough without relying heavily on him?

• Will the Pats’ defense key in on him more, anticipating limitations?

• And how will backup options respond if the Saints lean on them more?

But if Kamara does start, New Orleans may tilt toward quicker passes, screens, checkdowns, or two-back sets to ease the strain on him. They’ll need to lean more on receivers and possibly adjust blocking schemes to decrease the risk of exposing him to repeated hits. And if Kamara shows signs of aggravation, pulling him early or limiting usage could be crucial to avoid worsening the injury.

Kamara’s injury status puts the Saints in a delicate spot. He remains essential both tactically and psychologically, but the coaches must balance his value against the possibility of long-term damage.

A healthy, active Kamara is a big advantage. A hobbled one is a liability.

Sunday might tell us not just whether he plays, but how resilient this offense really is.