The New Orleans Saints will be without one of their most dynamic offensive weapons in Week 14, as running back Alvin Kamara has officially been ruled out due to a right MCL sprain suffered back in Week 12. It’s a tough blow for a Saints team still trying to find consistency down the stretch, especially as they head into a divisional matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kamara’s absence was already felt in Week 13, when the Saints fell to the Miami Dolphins. In that game, rookie Devin Neal - a sixth-round pick from the 2025 draft - stepped into the lead role.
Neal logged 81.9% of the offensive snaps and carried the ball 14 times for 47 yards. While the production wasn’t eye-popping, the workload showed that the Saints are willing to trust the rookie in a featured role, at least for now.
Even when healthy this season, Kamara hasn’t been the offensive centerpiece he once was. He’s played in just 63% of the team’s offensive snaps in the games he’s suited up for - a noticeable dip from past years when he was the engine of the Saints’ attack.
Still, his impact remains clear. Kamara has totaled 131 carries for 471 yards and a touchdown on the ground, while also contributing in the passing game with 33 receptions on 39 targets for 186 yards.
The efficiency hasn’t been elite - he’s averaging just 3.6 yards per carry - but his versatility continues to make him a key part of the offensive identity.
With Kamara sidelined, the Saints will likely lean more on their passing game, and that’s where Chris Olave enters the picture.
The former first-rounder has been a bright spot in New Orleans’ offense this season, and his chemistry with quarterback Tyler Shough is starting to show up on the scoreboard. Olave has scored in two of his last three games and now has five touchdowns on the year. His role in the offense has been growing - he’s been targeted 28 times over the last three games, including seven in last week’s contest where he found the end zone.
This week, Olave faces a Buccaneers defense that’s struggled to contain opposing passing attacks. Tampa Bay has allowed 21 passing touchdowns this season, which ties them for ninth-most in the NFL. That opens the door for Olave to continue his recent surge, especially if the Saints find themselves needing to throw to keep pace.
With Kamara out and the run game likely to be less of a focal point, Olave could see even more opportunities. He’s not just a volume guy - he’s a playmaker who can flip a game in one snap. For a Saints team looking for answers, Olave might be the one holding the pen.