METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara was one of six Saints that did not practice on Wednesday, and one of 11 listed on the team's first injury report of Week 18.
Kamara suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter of the Saints' 23-13 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday. The injury forced the 28-year-old out of the game after rushing 45 yards on 10 carries (4.5 avg) and two receptions for four yards.
Offensive lineman Landon Young did not practice after he also sustained a game-ending injury against the Bucs. It is the second knee injury sustained by the 26-year-old out of the University of Kentucky, who was starting in place of injured right tackle Ryan Ramczyk after the latter was placed on injured reserve last week.
As reported on Monday, linebacker Nephi Sewell is out indefinitely due to a torn ACL sustained against the Bucs.
Lonnie Johnson, who missed last week's game due to a knee injury, also did not practice, along with defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (concussion) and tight end Juwan Johnson (chest).
Johnson recorded career highs in targets, catches and receiving yards in the Saints' critical Week 17 win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Of note, wide receiver Chris Olave and center Erik McCoy saw limited participation due to respective ankle and foot injuries.
Wednesday's complete Week 18 injury report:
- TE — Juwan Johnson, Chest – DNP
- S — Lonnie Johnson, Knee – DNP
- RB — Alvin Kamara, Ankle – DNP
- LB — Nephi Sewell, Knee – DNP
- T — Landon Young, Knee – DNP
- DT — Khalen Saunders, Concussion – DNP
- RB — Kendre Miller, Ankle – LP
- TE — Jimmy Graham, NIR-Rest – LP
- C — Erik McCoy, Foot – LP
- WR — Chris Olave, Ankle – LP
- DE — Payton Turner*, Toe – LP
*Currently on Reserve/Injured. Returned to practice.
Notable Saints on injured reserve include receiver Michael Thomas (knee), cornerback Marshon Lattimore (ankle), safety Marcus Maye (shoulder), defensive end Malcolm Roach (knee) and most recently offensive tackle Nick Saldiveri (shoulder).
Defensive end Payton Turner continues to engage in limited participation at practice. Turner has been on injured reserve since the season opener against the Tennessee Titans with a toe injury.
In other Saints roster news per the NFL transactions wire, former LSU wide receiver Jontre Kirklin was released from the team's practice squad.
The Saints are now fully focused on the regular-season finale against archrival Atlanta on Sunday.
The Saints (8-8) fell to the Falcons 25-15 on Nov. 26, and will need a win over Atlanta (7-9) and a Bucs (8-8) loss or tie to the two-win Carolina Panthers (2-14) to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 season.
Kickoff for Falcons at Saints is set for noon.
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