The Saints are set to get two big names back in Baltimore, but the latest injury report also handed New Orleans a fresh problem in the one place it can least afford it.
Alvin Kamara and Cameron Jordan both finished Friday as full practice participants and were left off the final Week 2 injury report, putting them on track to return Sunday after missing New Orleans’ 31-30 overtime loss to Detroit. That’s the kind of boost the Saints wanted heading into a road matchup with the Ravens.
But Chris Olave is now questionable with a hamstring injury, and that changes the picture fast. Olave was limited Thursday and Friday after not appearing on Wednesday’s report, and now the Saints have to wait until Sunday’s inactive list to know whether their top deep threat is good to go.
Edge rusher Chase Young, dealing with a calf injury, is also questionable. So is defensive lineman Christen Miller, who has a toe injury.
Kamara’s return matters for obvious reasons, but especially because of what it can do for Tyler Shough. The second-year quarterback threw 56 passes for 410 yards and three touchdowns against Detroit, nearly dragging New Orleans back from a 21-point deficit.
That was a big-time effort. It also isn’t a workload the Saints should be eager to ask him to carry every week.
Kamara practiced fully all three days this week after missing the opener with the Grade 2 knee sprain he suffered during an Aug. 18 joint practice with Dallas. The Saints confirmed Thursday that he will make his season debut in Baltimore, beating an originally projected six-week recovery timetable.
And he gives Kellen Moore real flexibility. Kamara can be moved around, used as a matchup problem and paired with Travis Etienne Jr., who ran nine times for 46 yards in Week 1.
Kendre Miller also added 30 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. Suddenly, the Saints have options again instead of leaning on Shough to do everything himself.
Olave is the bigger worry because of how central he was to the offense last week. He caught 10 passes for a career-high 182 yards against Detroit, and his connection with Shough was one of the few bright spots from that opener.
If he’s on the field Sunday, Baltimore has to account for the vertical game. If he’s not, or if the hamstring keeps him from being at full speed, New Orleans will need more from Devaughn Vele, Barion Brown, Bryce Lance and the tight ends.
That’s why the Kamara news helps so much. If Olave can’t carry the same load, the Saints need another reliable outlet, and Kamara can be that player in a hurry.
Jordan’s return is just as timely on the other side of the ball. Baltimore rolled up 506 yards and 41 points in its Week 1 win over Indianapolis, with Derrick Henry rushing for 144 yards and three touchdowns and Lamar Jackson throwing for 324 yards while adding another 40 on the ground.
New Orleans just watched Jahmyr Gibbs run for 156 yards, so the assignment is clear. Jordan’s job isn’t only about getting after Jackson. It’s about setting the edge, staying disciplined in the run game and making sure Henry doesn’t keep finding daylight at the second level.
Jordan was limited Wednesday and Thursday before going full on Friday and coming off the report without a game designation.
Young’s status matters here too. If he’s limited or unavailable, Jordan becomes even more important as New Orleans tries to pressure Jackson without losing control of the edges. That’s a tough ask even when everyone is healthy.
There were a few other notable updates. Long snapper Zach Wood is out with a calf injury after missing Thursday and Friday practices.
Linebacker Isaiah Stalbird is doubtful with a shoulder injury. Tight ends Juwan Johnson and Oscar Delp were full participants on Friday and carry no game designation.
None of that grabs the spotlight the way Kamara, Jordan or Olave do, but road games like this can turn on the smallest special-teams mistake. The Saints need that part of the operation to be clean.
For New Orleans, the report is a mixed bag: welcome back Kamara and Jordan, but now hold your breath on Olave and Young. That’s the trade-off heading into Sunday.
In Other News...
Saints Defense Has A Brandon Staley Twist Fans Need To Watch
The Saints leaned into a more unconventional defensive look against the Lions, and it was easy to see Brandon Staleys influence in the way the rotation was handled. Instead of sticking rigidly with the usual personnel, New Orleans mixed in cornerback Martin Emerson for starter Quincy Riley and gave linebacker Danny Stutsman turns in place of Pete Werner, a reminder that this staff is willing to use game action as a development tool, not just a reward for the established names.
For Kellen Moore and Staley, the idea is straightforward: build depth now so the defense has more answers later. Emersons return was especially notable because it was his first game action since 2024 after recovering from a torn Achilles, and the Saints clearly wanted to ease him back while also getting a closer look at what he can handle. How far that rotation expands from here will be worth watching, because it could say a lot about how this defense is being shaped beyond the current week. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Suddenly Have A Week 2 Concern Fans Cant Ignore
The Saints got a little healthier on the margins this week, with tight end Juwan Johnson back as a limited participant after missing time, and running back Alvin Kamara still trending toward a return after working his way back from an MCL sprain. Even so, the injury report carried more than a little attention for New Orleans, because wide receiver Chris Olave showed up limited with a hamstring issue and pass rusher Chase Young was listed the same way with a calf concern.
For a team trying to steady itself early in the season, those are the names worth watching most closely. The Saints have enough moving parts already, and any limitation for Olave affects the passing game, while Youngs status matters to a defense that wants pressure without having to manufacture it. The Ravens had their own lengthy list of non-participants, but for New Orleans the bigger question is whether two key starters can get through the week without this becoming something more than a routine September injury note. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Just Sent A Strong Signal About A Rookie Running Back
The Saints made a notable roster move this week by promoting rookie running back CJ Donaldson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster, a clear sign that the undrafted Ohio State back has quickly earned their attention. His path to the active roster came as the team needed a replacement for long snapper Zach Wood, who was placed on injured reserve, creating an opening New Orleans used to elevate a young back rather than simply shuffle depth at another position.
Scott Daly was signed to the practice squad to handle the long-snapping duties, which frees the Saints to keep Donaldson in the building with a more prominent role. For a rookie who arrived without draft-day fanfare, the move at least suggests the team sees enough in him to keep him close as they sort out the backfield and decide how much responsibility he can handle going forward. [Read more 🡒]