As fantasy football managers prepare for Week 13, injury updates will be important for setting lineups. Let's check in on the injuries for the New Orleans Saints running backs and their Week 13 Thursday Night Football game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Is Alvin Kamara or Mark Ingram II playing tonight? Below we take a quick look at the updated injury status for Kamara and Ingram -- who both did not play in Week 12 -- and we also discuss who on the Saints could be fantasy relevant for the Saints for the running game.
Is Alvin Kamara Playing In Week 13 Against the Cowboys?
Alvin Kamara has not played the past three weeks, and this will be the fourth week in a row that he will be out. Kamara has been dealing with a knee injury, and he was officially ruled out for the Week 13 Thursday Night Football matchup versus the Dallas Cowboys:
At this point, it's unknown how long Kamara may be sidelined for. The Saints have lost four games in a row, sliding to a 5-6 record, and sitting third in the division with their playoff hopes slipping away. Will the Saints play it safe with Kamara in the weeks ahead? Only time will tell.
Is Mark Ingram Playing In Week 13 Against the Cowboys?
Mark Ingram has been cleared to play in Week 13 against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football, and he is expected to start at running back and get a heavy volume of touches. Although Mark Ingram missed last week's game against the Bills, he practiced in full this week and was removed from the final injury report:
With Kamara being out, and rookie Tony Jones Jr. not showing much with his opportunity last week, Ingram returning will be a welcomed addition for the Saints and fantasy football managers in Week 13. He should be started in all leagues, and is a solid RB2 based on projected volume.
Is Taysom Hill Starting in Week 13 and Worth Playing?
Taysom Hill will start at quarterback for the Saints in Week 13 versus the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. Hill has been injured for several weeks, and Trevor Siemian has been starting at quarterback for the Saints during that time, but Hill is healthy now and will finally get his chance in 2021:
Last week Taysom Hill signed a lucrative four-year contract extension, and was then upgraded to a full participant on Monday. He now carries no injury designation, and has been confirmed as the starter. In four games as a starter last year, Hill completed 71% of his passes for 834 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions while adding 39 carries for 209 yards and four scores.
As we've seen in previous years, Hill brings a running component -- especially in goal-line situations -- which elevates his fantasy scoring potential. Add in the fact that Kamara is out again this week, and it's very possible that we see Hill assume some of the rushing duties alongside Mark Ingram in Week 13, making him a viable quarterback pickup and start for those in need of a streamer or bye-week fill-in.
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