The New Orleans Saints are heading into a Week 14 contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Tyler Shough tries to build on his impressive performances the last few weeks.
While New Orleans is only 2-10 on the season, Shough and the Saints have something to prove in the final five weeks of the NFL season. But after missing Week 13's matchup, will Alvin Kamara play for the Saints in Week 14?
According to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, the Saints will once again be without Kamara, as the star running back is out for at least one more week with his knee and ankle issues.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara receives final injury designation for Week 14
Kamara is out for Week 14, leaving rookie Devin Neal to carry the load out of the backfield. While he didn't have an incredible performance against the Miami Dolphins, Neal ran the ball 14 times for 47 yards, adding three receptions for 22 yards through the air.
While he's not a direct one-for-one replacement for Kamara, who's one of the better dual-threat running backs in the NFL, Neal showed he can tote the ball well enough for a functioning NFL offense.
Kamara is going to miss his second straight game, this time against an NFC South division rival. His season total of 131 carries for 471 yards and one touchdown aren't the great numbers he's put up previously in his career.
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As a receiver, his production has also taken a dip. He has 33 receptions on 39 targets for 186 yards and no touchdowns. While the New Orleans offense hasn't been great all year, Kamara's production has been a disappointment this season.
Against the Buccaneers and their struggling defense, Neal and the Saints' rushing attack will have to deal with the absence of Taliese Fuaga along the offensive line.
It won't be easy even with a decent matchup, but Neal, Evan Hull, Audric Estime, and even Taysom Hill will get a chance to run the ball in Week 14 with Kamara sitting on the sideline for another week.
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