With kickoff looming between the 3-10 New Orleans Saints and the 7-6 Carolina Panthers at the Caesars Superdome, the final injury report gives us a clear look at where both teams stand heading into this Week 15 divisional clash. For the Saints, it’s a mix of tough breaks and encouraging returns, while the Panthers come in at full strength - a luxury this late in the season.
Saints Rule Out Kamara, Richards
The big headline for New Orleans is the continued absence of Alvin Kamara, who’s sidelined for a second straight game due to knee and ankle injuries. There’s still hope he returns before the season wraps, but with only a few games left and nothing guaranteed, the Saints are forced to move forward without their most dynamic offensive weapon. It’s a tough blow for a team already struggling to find rhythm.
Also out is Asim Richards, who suffered a high ankle sprain last Sunday. He wasn’t expected to start, but his absence thins the Saints’ tackle depth.
Richards has been the utility man on the offensive line, capable of stepping in when either Taliese Fuaga or Kelvin Banks Jr. has missed time. Without him, the Saints will need to lean more heavily on their starters staying upright.
Game-Time Decision: Justin Reid
Safety Justin Reid is officially questionable with a knee injury that kept him out last week and limited him in practice until Thursday. He logged limited reps on both Thursday and Friday, which suggests he’s trending in the right direction, but his availability will likely come down to how he feels in warmups.
If Reid can’t go, expect Jordan Howden to step in alongside rookie Jonas Sanker, with veteran Terrell Burgess providing depth. It’s not an ideal situation in the secondary, especially against a Panthers offense that’s found some rhythm lately.
Key Players Cleared to Go
There is some good news for the Saints, starting with Taliese Fuaga. The rookie right tackle has been battling through multiple injuries this season - knee, back, and now an ankle - but he’s trending upward.
After being limited early in the week, Fuaga practiced in full on Friday and is expected to start. That’s a huge boost for a Saints offensive line that’s been in flux all year.
With Kamara out, rookie Devin Neal will again take center stage in the backfield. Neal was limited during the week with an abdominal injury, but he was a full participant on Friday. He’s expected to handle the bulk of the carries, and this is a big opportunity for him to show what he can do in an expanded role.
On the defensive side, Chris Rumph II is good to go after dealing with a wrist injury. He returned to full practice by Thursday and has been a solid contributor in the edge rotation behind Chase Young, Carl Granderson, and Cameron Jordan. Rumph is set to hit free agency this offseason, so every snap from here on out is a chance to boost his value.
Davon Godchaux is also cleared and ready. The veteran defensive tackle typically gets Thursdays off as a rest day, especially since he’s not heavily involved in pass-rush packages. But he was back in full on Friday and will anchor the Saints' run defense this Sunday.
Panthers Come In Healthy
On the other side, the Panthers are heading into this game with a clean bill of health. All five players who appeared on their injury report - Claudin Cherelus (concussion), Jaycee Horn (concussion), Cade Mays (ankle), Lathan Ransom (thumb), and Christian Rozeboom (hip/hamstring) - have been cleared to play.
That’s a significant advantage this late in the season, especially in a divisional game where physicality tends to ratchet up. With postseason hopes still alive, Carolina will be looking to take full advantage of their health edge and keep pressure on the NFC playoff picture.
Final Thoughts
The Saints are limping into this one, both figuratively and literally, with Kamara and Richards out and Reid still a question mark. But the return of Fuaga and the availability of key rotational defenders like Rumph and Godchaux give them a fighting chance. For Carolina, staying healthy this deep into December is a win in itself - and they’ll look to capitalize on a Saints team that’s still trying to hold things together.
This one has all the makings of a gritty NFC South battle. The Saints may be down, but they’re not out - and divisional games have a way of flipping the script.