Alvin Kamara Knee Injury May Mean End of the Road in New Orleans
The New Orleans draft class of 2017 is widely taked about for a few reasons but the main one is Alvin Kamara. It is hard to believe but this year or next year may truly be it for the talented running back in New Orleans. The dual threat has played nine years in the Big East. However, this season has seen a breakdown of his body and arguably his fantasy and team relevance.
A knee injury suffered last week may prove to be the last thing we remember of Kamara in New Orleans. Time will tell but the expectation is that the 30-year-old could have a new address come 2026.
The latest report suggested that Kamara has an MCL sprain of his knee.
It was updated and confirmed to be the case later.
From a fantasy football perspective, this is probably it for the 2025 season for Kamara owners. Even if this is a milder MCL sprain, expect the running back to miss 2-4 weeks. If it any worse, we are talking the 4-6 week territory. Potentially, he could return as soon as Week 16 or 17. However, the risk of re-injury may give New Orleans pause.
One of the biggest problems are age plus wear and tear with Kamara. He had an incredible first four years in the NFL including that six touchdown game against the Minnesota Vikings. Since that initial run which saw him appear in the Pro Bowl four times, he received one more Pro Bowl nod.
The numbers declined further this year as Devin Neal was starting to eat into his snap share. It felt like a matter of time. Kamara knows the NFL is not forever but even he hoped 2025 might end a little better. Instead, the Saints are 2-9 and again going nowhere fast. Now Kamara faces missing several weeks and an uncertain future at best.
Neal did not gain many yards after the Kamara injury but it was clear who was the RB1 in the aftermath. For perspective on target potential, here we go.
Neal expects to see that level of targets from an out of hte backfield standpoint. The former Kansas Jayhawk can make people miss and the Saints are hoping lightning strikes twice. One thing is certain, Neal is being added in a lot of fantasy football leagues. The volume and rate he is being added is incredible.
He caught five passes for 43 yards on Sunday against Atlanta. There was a 18-yard reception where it looked a little like Kamara out there. Can Neal be as or nearly as explosive as Kamara on screen plays? Time will tell.
It really feels like a pasing of the torch in a way. This is not how it was supposed to go in New Orleans. Maybe we are ultimately wrong but it feels like the end of an era for Kamara in terms of fantasy relevance and his time as a Saint.
Lions Do Not Activate Former Second-Round Pick, Ending Season
The Detroit Lions did not activate a former second-round pick within his 21-day return to practice window, thus ending his season.
Defensive end Josh Paschal was listed as out for Thursday's game and was not activated from the Non-Football Injury list. Because he returned to practice Nov. 5, his 21-day window to return expired Wednesday.
NFL rules indicate that players have 21 days to return to practice while on an injury list, and if they do not return within that span then they revert back to their injury list for the remainder of the season. Paschal will officially be sidelined for the remainder of the year, and his 2025 season ends without an appearance in a regular season game.
This season was a pivotal one for the 2022 second-round pick, as he is in the final year of his rookie contract. He was originally placed on the NFI list ahead of the start of training camp, and recently revealed that it was because of back surgery.
Detroit was taking it slow with his recovery for precautionary purposes, but evidently didn't see enough to activate the defender prior to the expiration of the allotted time.
"It's a back (injury) is what it is, and there again, he is improving," Campbell said in late October. "We're trying to be smart and take it as far as we can. He's got a few more things to show us before we're ready to open the window for him to practice."
Injuries have been an unfortunate theme in Paschal's professional career. He missed most of training camp during his rookie season with a hernia, and has yet to play a full season. In 36 career games, Paschal has 62 combined tackles, five sacks, 12 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
The Kentucky product has an inspiring story, as he beat stage 3B acral lentiginous melanoma in his foot during his collegiate career and was a multi-year captain for the Wildcats.
Paschal was the 46th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The Lions' draft class from that year also includes Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams, Kerby Joseph and Malcolm Rodriguez.
Paschal was listed among five players ruled out and eight players ruled questionable in Detroit's final injury report prior to their Thanksgiving matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Two key defenders were ruled questionable, as both Marcus Davenport and Terrion Arnold could return to action Thursday.
