According to a report by Adam Schefter at ESPN, Saints running back Alvin Kamara had a positive COVID-19 test, which means he’s ineligible to play Sunday’s game against the Panthers. Kamara may also miss his team’s first playoff game due to the league’s 10-day waiting period.
New Orleans is a heavy favorite in this matchup. However, it’s hard to overstate how important Kamara has been to their offense this year. With Drew Brees declining and Michael Thomas missing half of the season due to injury, Kamara had become a do-it-all superstar kind of back for the Saints.
On Christmas he scored six rushing touchdowns against the Vikings, the crown jewel of a sensational 2020 season. Heading into Week 17, Kamara has 1,688 total yards and leads the league with 21 touchdowns from scrimmage. He’s been superb and efficient both as a rusher (averaging five yards per run) and a receiver (9.1 yards per catch) while carrying a heavy load as both.
The Saints have a couple other potent rushing weapons in Latavius Murray and Taysom Hill, but neither are in Kamara’s league.
Losing No. 41 is probably not enough to actually give Carolina the edge on Sunday. It does make an upset much more plausible, though.
