Pro Football Talk hears that Saints RB Alvin Kamara is "bracing for a suspension of at least six weeks." Kamara is facing felony battery charges for a fight he was allegedly involved in over Pro Bowl weekend in Vegas. His next hearing isn't scheduled until August, though, and it's unclear how long the legal process will take beyond that. The NFL usually waits for that process to play out before making its own ruling. So, even if Kamara is eventually suspended, it might not come this season. Until this situation is resolved, Kamara is a risk/reward fantasy pick. He's going in the late 2nd round of recent FFPC drafts.

Saints HC Dennis Allen gave his evaluation of RB Abram Smith during rookie minicamp. “Tough, smart, competitive, really good special teams value,” Allen said. “I think any time you’re looking at an undrafted free agent, the first thing you’re looking at is, No. 1, how does he make the team? And then No. 2, does he have the ability to be active on gameday? And for a young player, the best chance you have to be active on gameday is to contribute on special teams. And so, that was an area we felt like he was really good at.” A projected late round pick, Smith went undrafted — perhaps due to 2 past ACL tears (2014 and 2017). New Orleans supposedly had better than a UDFA grade on the Baylor product. With the Saints, Smith has a decent shot at earning a roster spot — especially with Alvin Kamara's status in limbo.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara had been due for a hearing Monday in the battery case against him, but that has been pushed to Aug. 1. The decision came after lawyers for Kamara and other defendants said they needed more time to review evidence, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The delayed timeline for the case likely helps Kamara's chances of opening the regular season on time. The NFL is notoriously slow to react with discipline in criminal cases, and even this scheduled date is just for a hearing. The uncertainty with Kamara has pushed him at least well into Round 2 of early best-ball drafting, and often even into Round 3. He's a high-upside target in that range.

The Saints are sticking with OC Pete Carmichael, according to multiple reports. The team interviewed other candidates but ultimately decided for continuity with Carmichael, who's been with the team since Sean Payton arrived in 2006. Payton, of course, has been the mastermind of New Orleans' offense, so Carmichael has questions to answer.

Las Vegas police arrested Saints RB Alvin Kamara on Saturday, charging him with "battery resulting in substantial bodily harm." According to a police department release, the charges arose from a fight in Las Vegas night club. The investigation is reportedly ongoing, so we'll see how the situation develops and what it might mean for Kamara's status.

Saints RB Mark Ingram (knee) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Falcons. That should open up more work for RB Alvin Kamara.

Saints RB Mark Ingram (knee) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Falcons. He didn’t practice on Thursday and Friday, so we’re not expecting him to play. We’ll get New Orleans’ inactives around 3 pm ET on Sunday. Ingram’s absence would mean a few more touches for RB Alvin Kamara.

Saints RB Mark Ingram (knee) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Panthers. Tony Jones will step in as New Orleans’ #2 RB – but RB Alvin Kamara should get a volume boost with Ingram out.

Saints RB Mark Ingram (knee) is "unlikely" to play vs. the Panthers today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Rapoport adds that RB Tony Jones "should assume his snaps," but we'd expect RB Alvin Kamara to get more touches with Ingram out. Kamara racked up 27 carries and 5 targets when Ingram missed Week 14's game vs. the Jets.

Saints RB Mark Ingram (knee) is listed as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Panthers after being downgraded to limited participation in Thursday and Friday's practices. Ingram isn't a fantasy option, but his absence would be a boost for RB Alvin Kamara.

Saints QB Taysom Hill has been placed on the COVID list. He's joined by QB Trevor Siemian. That leaves 4th-round rookie QB Ian Book to make his 1st career start vs. the Dolphins on Monday Night Football. The Notre Dame product was a mediocre college passer, leaving school with a 63.8% completion rate, 7.8 yards per attempt and 72 TDs vs. 20 INTs. He did run for 1,517 yards and 17 TDs over 4 college seasons -- and then ran a 4.65-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Book goes just 6'0 and 211 pounds, though, so he's no Taysom Hill. Book is only in play for DFS showdown contests. Expect a heavy dose of RBs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram on Monday night.

Saints RB Mark Ingram was activated from the COVID list and practiced on Friday. He should play vs. the Bucs on Sunday night, providing a change of pace behind RB Alvin Kamara.

Saints HC Sean Payton has tested positive for COVID and will miss Sunday night's game vs. the Bucs. One of the best offensive minds in the game and New Orleans' play caller, Payton's absence will be felt. Consider it a slight downgrade for QB Taysom Hill and RB Alvin Kamara.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara will carry the "full load" against the Jets today, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Kamara has been out since Week 9, but the Saints don't really have the option to ease him in with RBs Mark Ingram and Ty Montgomery on the COVID list. Kamara has as much upside as any RB this week.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara (knee) put in a full week of practice and isn’t listed on the final injury report. HC Sean Payton said Friday that Kamara was “real close” to playing last week, and that it was actually a hamstring issue that kept Kamara out. RBs Mark Ingram and Ty Montgomery are on the COVID list and are likely to miss Sunday’s game, so Kamara should be in for a heavy workload against the league’s 32nd-ranked RB defense.

Saints RB Ty Montgomery has joined RB Mark Ingram on the COVID list. Both guys are unlikely to be cleared for Sunday's game vs. the Jets. New Orleans might not have any choice but to give RB Alvin Kamara a full workload in his first game back from his MCL injury.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara (knee) put in a full practice on Wednesday. He's on track to return for this weekend's game vs. the Jets, barring a setback. And a full week of practice would set him up to play his usual role. Kamara can be penciled into Week 14 fantasy lineups.

Saints RB Mark Ingram has landed on the COVID list. He's reportedly vaccinated, giving him an outside shot to be cleared in time for Sunday's game vs. the Jets. Ingram wasn't much of a fantasy option with RB Alvin Kamara slated to return from his knee injury. But his absence might mean a few extra touches for Kamara.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara (knee) is expected back for Sunday's game vs. the Jets, according to insider Jeff Duncan. Kamara has been sidelined since spraining an MCL in Week 9. He'll carry some added risk in his first game back, but the matchup against the league's 32nd-ranked RB defense makes Kamara nearly impossible to bench in fantasy.