The Saints are "not likely" to have RB Latavius Murray (quad) or QB Taysom Hill (knee) active for today's game against the Buccaneers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Those absences would boost the touch and scoring upside for RB Alvin Kamara, as well as the scoring upside for QB Drew Brees. Hill has often replaced Brees near the goal line in recent weeks. Kamara has posted lackluster yardage totals in each meeting with Tampa this year but also scored on the ground and caught 5 passes in each game.

Saints QB Taysom Hill (knee) returned to a limited practice on Friday and is listed as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Bucs. The versatile Hill's absence would be a tangible blow to New Orleans' offense -- but boost the outlooks for QB Drew Brees and RB Alvin Kamara.

Saints RB Latavius Murray (quad) is questionable for Sunday's game vs. the Bucs after returning a limited practice on Friday. He's expected to be a game-time decision. We'll look for further updates but might not know Murray's status until a little after 6 pm ET on Sunday.

Saints RB Latavius Murray (quad) remained sidelined on Thursday. He's certainly in danger of missing Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the Bucs, which would leave RB Alvin Kamara in a workhorse role. Check back Friday night for another update on Murray.

Saints RB Latavius Murray (quad) did not practice on Wednesday. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that his status is "up in the air" for Sunday's Divisional Round game vs. the Bucs. Murray's absence would mean a significant boost in touches for RB Alvin Kamara.

Saints RB Latavius Murray suffered a quad injury late in the 3rd quarter of Sunday's win over the Bears and didn't play in the 4th. We'll see if he's able to play in this weekend's Divisional Round game vs. the Bucs. If not, RB Alvin Kamara will be in for a volume boost.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara and WR Michael Thomas are officially active for today's game against the Bears. Both were expected to be ready, but it's nice to get confirmation.

Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports that the Saints have returned RB Alvin Kamara to the active roster. That indicates he's all set to face the Bears on Sunday. We'll watch for any reports to the contrary, but Kamara should be ready for fantasy use. We'll also see just how he splits work with Latavius Murray after being out the past week-and-a-half following a positive COVID test.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero confirms that Saints RB Alvin Kamara (COVID) has a chance to play in Sunday's Wild Card game vs. the Bears. Kamara would not have been eligible to be cleared for that game had it been scheduled for Saturday. Sunday, though, will mark the requisite 10 days since he tested positive for COVID. Kamara still needs to test negative, remain asymptomatic and get full medical clearance in order to play. RB Latavius Murray is eligible to return to the team mid-week after landing on the COVID list as a close contact of Kamara.

The Saints have placed RB Alvin Kamara on the COVID list after a confirmed positive test. That not only knocks him out for Sunday's game against the Panthers. It almost certainly means he'd miss a Wild Card-round playoff game as well, if New Orleans doesn't reach the top seed in the NFC this weekend. Latavius Murray becomes a strong play for Sunday against Carolina. We'll see about the opening of the playoffs and Kamara's outlook for playoff-long leagues as we head into next week.

Saints beat writer Nick Underhill reports that RB Alvin Kamara is awaiting a 2nd COVID test after an initial positive test. If the 2nd comes back positive as well, Kamara would not only miss Sunday's finale against the Panthers but also the playoff opener if the Saints don't get a 1st-round bye. We'll be tracking this situation for Week 17 as well as playoff leagues. Latavius Murray would obviously become a strong fantasy play in any week that doesn't include Kamara.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Saints QB Drew Brees (ribs) will start Sunday's game against the Chiefs. Brees has reportedly looked and felt good enough in practice this week and has been cleared by doctors to return. The 41-year-old averaged 265 yards and 2.1 TDs across 8 full games to open the season, completing 74% of his passes and averaging 7.4 yards per attempt. He figures to find himself in a shootout vs. the Chiefs this weekend. So, assuming he has WR Michael Thomas (ankle), Brees will be back in the low-end QB1 mix. His return is good news for Thomas and especially Alvin Kamara.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara (foot) isn’t listed on the final Week 11 injury report. He was limited on Wednesday, sidelined on Thursday but a full participant on Friday. Kamara should be a full-go for this weekend’s game against the Falcons. QB Taysom Hill likely lowers his pass-catching ceiling, but Kamara could get a boost in rushing volume. He remains an elite fantasy play.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara (foot) didn't practice on Thursday after getting in a limited workout on Wednesday. We don't have any other details about his Week 11 status at this point. Kamara was on the injury report with a foot back in Week 9, but he was limited on Wednesday and then a full-go on Thursday and Friday. We'll get another update on his status tomorrow. Latavius Murray would turn into a RB1 if Kamara misses this weekend's game vs. the Falcons.

Update: Kamara was allowed to talk to reporters on Thursday afternoon and didn't sound too concerned. "I'm feeling good, I'll be alright," he said.

After being limited on Wednesday, Saints RB Alvin Kamara (foot) put in full practices on Thursday and Friday and isn’t listed on the final injury report. He’s ready to rock for Sunday night’s game against the Bucs. Despite the tough matchup, Kamara remains a locked-in RB1.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara (foot) put in a full practice on Thursday. It's confirmation that he'll be fine for Sunday night's game against the Bucs.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara missed Wednesday's practice with a foot issue. Beat writer Nick Underhill hears that Kamara is dealing with a bone bruise. "Kamara is just staying off of it right now. Letting it rest," Underhill adds. "Things can change, but am told that it would be a surprise if this impacts his game status." Fantasy owners can keep Kamara penciled into fantasy lineups for now but should continue to keep a close eye on this situation.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Saints WR Michael Thomas' high-ankle sprain is "worse than originally believed and he's now expected to miss several weeks." Thomas' absence would push targets toward WR Emmanuel Sanders, TE Jared Cook, WR Tre'Quan Smith and RB Alvin Kamara -- and perhaps motivate the Saints to go more run-heavy. As recently as 2017 and 2018, this offense ranked among the most run-heavy in the league. The next 3 weeks bring matchups with the Raiders, Packers and Lions -- all of whom ranked 16th or worse in Football Outsiders run-defense DVOA last season. Then come the Chargers (25th) and a Week 6 bye. So you should probably prepare the possibility of going without Thomas until Week 7. Thomas' situation also hurts the fantasy outlook for QB Drew Brees, who threw for just 160 yards in the opening win over Tampa.

Saints WR Michael Thomas suffered a high-ankle sprain late in Sunday's win over the Bucs, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. "It’s something he believes he can play through," Pelissero adds. "With an extra day before next Monday’s game vs. Raiders, nobody ruling Thomas out." It sounds like this is a relatively minor high-ankle sprain, but it's still worrisome. Just last year, we saw this injury derail Alvin Kamara and Saquon Barkley's seasons. We'll obviously keep a close eye on Thomas' status this coming week. His absence would be a big blow to QB Drew Brees, while opening up a ton of opportunity for Kamara, TE Jared Cook and WRs Emmanuel Sanders and Tre'Quan Smith.

Saints RB Alvin Kamara has signed a 5-year contract extension worth $75 million, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Kamara gets a $15 million signing bonus and over $34 million in guarantees. He's now tied with Ezekiel Elliott for the 2nd highest-paid RB in terms of average annual salary -- behind only Christian McCaffrey. Contract and back concerns surrounded Kamara in late August and early September. But he once again looks like a top 5 fantasy back.