METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints listed running back Alvin Kamara as questionable for the team's regular-season finale against the visiting Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Kamara missed all week of practice due to a game-ending ankle injury sustained against the Buccaneers last weekend.
“Alvin, he’s one of those guys that is so valuable to our team that we’re going to go all the way up to game time to see where he’s at,” Saints coach Dennis Allen told media on Friday. “He’s made improvement throughout the week, and we’ll just wait until game time to make a decision on that.”
The Saints' complete injury report for Friday, includes:
Kamara was one of seven players listed as questionable, including rookie and Kamara's backup, Kendre Miller, who missed seven games this season due to an ankle injury of his own. Miller missed practice on Friday due to an illness, meaning Jamaal Williams is the only fully healthy running back on the active roster.
Other Saints listed as questionable, include tight end Juwan Johnson (chest), Khalen Saunders (concussion), wide receiver A.T. Perry (illness), safety J.T. Gray (illness) and defensive end Payton Turner (toe).
Turner has been on injured reserve since the season opener against the Tennessee Titans with a toe injury. But according to WWL Louisiana media partner The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate, Allen anticipates the defensive end will be available to play against Atlanta.
“I’ve been chomping at the bit since September to get back,” Turner said.
The Saints ruled out two players: safety Lonnie Johnson (knee) and tackle Landon Young (knee).
Young's unavailability is especially concerning since he was replacing starting offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk, who suffered a knee injury and was placed on injured reserve before the Bucs game.
The Saints (8-8) enter Week 18 in need of a win over the Falcons (7-9), along with a Bucs (8-8) loss or tie to the two-win Carolina Panthers (2-14), to capture the NFC South division title and make the playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 season.
If both the Saints and the Bucs win, New Orleans can still sneak into the post-season with a wild-card berth if both the Seahawks (8-8) and Packers (8-8) lose to the Cardinals (4-12) and Bears (7-9) respectively.
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