The New Orleans Saints gave themselves up until game day to determine if Alvin Kamara would be able to play against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18, but they ultimately decided to keep him sidelined.
Kamara was questionable for the game after he sprained his ankle last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kamara sat out each of the Saints' three practices in the lead up to the Falcons game, but the team held out hope he would be able to go.
With Kamara officially out, he finished his 2023 season with a career-low 694 yards rushing and 1,160 yards from scrimmage. Kamara appeared in 13 games this season, missing the first three games because of a suspension.
Though they won't have Kamara, the Saints will have rookie Kendre Miller available in the backfield. Miller has been inactive since Week 10 because of an ankle injury.
Miller is expected to share the backfield workload with Jamaal Williams. New Orleans also called up rookie running back Jordan Mims from the practice squad.
Also inactive for the Saints are receiver Keith Kirkwood, safety Lonnie Johnson, quarterback Jake Haener, defensive end Kyle Phillips, linebacker Monty Rice, and offensive tackle Landon Young.
Notably, Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke is also inactive, meaning Desmond Ridder will start for Atlanta. Ridder started against the Saints in Week 12, throwing for 168 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions while adding 30 yards on the ground.
