Saints News: Alvin Kamara is RB1 for now
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is in line for a larger workload after the team placed Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
Etienne was hurt in last Sunday’s loss to Las Vegas and will miss at least four games. Head coach Kellen Moore said the injury will not require surgery. Etienne can return as early as the Saints’ Nov. 8 game against Cleveland. He had 30 carries for 128 yards and no touchdowns before the injury.
Kamara will not be handling the backfield alone. Moore said Thursday that Kamara and Kendre Miller will share the work while Etienne is out. “I think Alvin and Kendre will handle that load really well,” Moore said. He also pointed to Kamara’s recent play, saying, “Alvin’s done a nice job to start the season. Obviously, he missed Week 1 coming off that injury, and I thought last week there was some good stuff in there.”
Kamara missed the season opener while recovering from a sprained MCL. He has carried the ball nine times in each of his two games since returning, totaling 51 yards on 18 attempts. He ran for 15 yards in the Week 2 win over Baltimore and 36 yards against Las Vegas. He has also caught six of seven targets for 12 yards, with most of that work coming in the win over the Ravens.
Those numbers have been modest, but the opportunity is about to grow. Etienne had been the lead back since signing with New Orleans in the offseason, and his absence frees up a significant share of the carries.
Miller should remain involved. He had six touches against the Raiders, rushing four times for 14 yards and catching two passes for 5 yards. He opened the season with nine carries for 30 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 while Kamara was sidelined, then was a healthy scratch in Week 2. CJ Donaldson is also on the active roster, though his role has leaned more toward fullback and special teams.
The Saints have leaned heavily on the passing game so far. Tyler Shough leads the NFL in passing yards, which has limited the backfield’s overall carry totals. That could shift somewhat with Etienne out, but Kamara’s value in the passing game gives him another path to production even if the run game stays secondary.
New Orleans hosts Atlanta on Monday night. With more touches likely coming his way, Alvin Kamara fantasy managers can move him back into the Week 4 flex conversation.
