Saints Lose Alvin Kamara for Week 14 as Injuries Mount in Difficult Season

The New Orleans Saints enter Week 14 with little left to fight for beyond pride, development, and incremental progress. At 2–10, the team’s postseason hopes disappeared weeks ago, leaving the focus on evaluating young players and finding continuity amid an uneven campaign. Yet even in a difficult season, one constant has been the importance of running back Alvin Kamara to any semblance of offensive rhythm.

That constant will be absent this weekend. Kamara, long viewed as the Saints’ most dynamic playmaker, has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s NFC South matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran back has been battling multiple injuries, and the team confirmed he was unable to participate in any practice leading into the game.

The loss further strains an offense that has struggled to establish an identity all season. While Kamara’s output has dipped compared to his peak production, he remains the team’s most reliable source of yards both on the ground and through the air. His absence forces the Saints to lean even more heavily on unproven contributors.

With only a handful of games remaining, New Orleans must balance long-term considerations with the immediate challenge of competing each week. Kamara’s injury status adds another layer to an already complicated season.

1. Kamara’s Injuries Derail an Already Difficult Season

Alvin Kamara’s 2025 campaign has been defined by persistent physical setbacks. The veteran running back has dealt with an ankle injury throughout the season, a lingering issue that regularly limited his effectiveness. Matters worsened in Week 12, when he suffered an MCL sprain against the Atlanta Falcons. He missed Week 13 as a result and then was held out of practice entirely leading into Week 14. According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, the Saints officially ruled him out for Sunday’s divisional matchup, removing their most consistent offensive presence from the lineup. Kamara’s production reflects the broader struggles of New Orleans’ offense. In 11 games, he has totaled 471 rushing yards on 131 carries with one touchdown, while adding 33 receptions for 186 yards. These numbers fall short of his previous Pro Bowl standards, but his versatility and ability to create yards after contact have still made him central to the team’s limited success. Signed through 2026, Kamara’s long-term future in New Orleans remains a looming conversation. But for now, the focus remains on recovery and determining when he can return to the field.

2. Saints Turn to Devin Neal in Kamara’s Absence

With Kamara sidelined, the Saints will once again hand the backfield responsibilities to Devin Neal. The young running back filled in last week, earning 14 carries in the loss and finishing with 47 yards against a tough defensive front. It was one of his most active performances of the season and offered a glimpse of his potential in an expanded role. Neal has accumulated 108 rushing yards on 31 carries this year, working mostly in a depth capacity. Week 14 represents another opportunity for him to showcase his vision, durability and ability to contribute consistently in a struggling offense. For a team evaluating its future core, these late-season snaps carry meaningful weight. New Orleans is expected to rely heavily on Neal early to establish the run and relieve pressure on a passing attack that has lacked consistency. Whether he can capitalize on the opportunity remains one of the key storylines entering the matchup with Tampa Bay. As the Saints continue managing injuries across the roster, Neal’s development could be one of the few bright spots in a season marked by setbacks.

3. Uncertainty Ahead as Saints Monitor Kamara’s Recovery

For now, the Saints remain cautious in their approach with Kamara. With no postseason race to dictate urgency, New Orleans is taking a measured path, focusing on his long-term health rather than short-term availability. Weekly evaluations will determine when he can return, though he has yet to log any significant practice activity since his MCL sprain. The team’s approach makes sense given Kamara’s importance to the franchise and the limited stakes remaining in the season. Rushing him back would offer little tangible benefit beyond momentary offensive improvement. Instead, the coaching staff continues to emphasize rehabilitation and eventual reintegration at a pace that ensures no additional damage. New Orleans now faces a stretch in which it must continue competing despite a depleted roster and reduced expectations. Each week provides opportunities for younger players to gain experience, while veterans like Kamara focus on getting healthy for 2026 and beyond. Sunday’s divisional matchup highlights both the challenges and opportunities the Saints face as they push through the final weeks of a difficult campaign.