The New Orleans Saints are heading into a crucial stretch of their season, but they’re doing it with some big names on the injury list. As the team gears up for a divisional clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, four key starters were absent from the practice field during Wednesday’s open session: wide receiver Chris Olave, running back Alvin Kamara, rookie offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga, and veteran safety Justin Reid.
Let’s start with Kamara, whose absence continues to loom large. He missed last week’s game against the Dolphins with a knee injury, and head coach Kellen Moore labeled him "week to week" ahead of that matchup.
That kind of designation usually signals uncertainty - not just about the next game, but potentially a longer timeline. For a player who’s central to both the run and pass game, Kamara’s status is something the Saints will be monitoring closely.
Without him, the offense loses its most dynamic dual-threat weapon and a key outlet for the quarterback when things break down.
Reid’s situation is also concerning. He went down on the very first play from scrimmage against Miami, and while he tried to gut it out for a few more snaps, it was clear something wasn’t right.
He eventually exited for good with a knee injury. Reid brings veteran leadership and versatility to the back end of the defense - qualities that will be sorely missed if he’s sidelined for long.
With the Bucs’ passing game heating up, the Saints can’t afford to be thin in the secondary.
Then there’s Olave, who’s been dealing with a back issue. He was a late addition to the injury report last week but still managed to play in 87.5% of the offensive snaps - a touch above his season average.
That’s a good sign in terms of his toughness and ability to fight through discomfort, but the fact he’s still listed with the same issue suggests it’s not behind him yet. Olave is the Saints’ top receiving threat, and even if he plays, any limitation in his explosiveness or route-running precision could impact the offense’s rhythm.
Fuaga is the fourth name on the list, and his case is a bit of a twist. The rookie right tackle had just returned from a two-game absence due to a knee injury, only to show up on this week’s report with an ankle issue.
That’s a tough break for a young player who’s been asked to do a lot early in his NFL career. Fuaga’s presence on the offensive line is critical, especially when it comes to protecting the quarterback and opening lanes in the run game.
If he’s not 100%, the Saints may have to reshuffle their line again - never ideal this late in the season.
With the NFC South still very much in play, New Orleans can’t afford to limp into this matchup. These aren’t just depth pieces missing practice - they’re foundational players on both sides of the ball.
The Saints will need to hope this is more about precaution than prognosis. But as it stands, they’re heading into Week 14 with more questions than answers at some of their most important positions.