Yesterday, the Saints had to place star running back Alvin Kamara on their reserve/COVID-19 list, which knocks him out of tomorrow’s game against the Panthers and potentially for a playoff matchup next week.
Now, the entire New Orleans running back room has been deemed close contacts with Kamara and have also been shut down for Sunday. According to Jay Glazer, they’ll be moving Ty Montgomery to running back and promote another one from their practice squad.
The entire Saints RB room won’t be available tomorrow bc of close contact to Alvin Kamara. Latavius Murry, Burton, Washington, RB coach all out tomorrow @NFLonFOX. They are moving Ty Montgomery to RB and calling up practice squad RB
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 2, 2021
This is another significant blow for the Saints’ offense, which has boasted one of the NFL’s most-effective rushing attacks this season.
Together, Kamara and Latavius Murray alone have totaled over 1,500 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns.
Montgomery may be their RB1, but there’s a good chance QB/TE Taysom Hill winds up getting the most carries. He’s managed an efficient 5.2 yards per rush this season and has scored seven touchdowns on the ground.
While the situation is not as dire, the Panthers are also extremely limited at this position heading into Week 17. Christian McCaffrey and Mike Davis are both listed as doubtful and coach Matt Rhule doesn’t expect either one to play. Trenton Cannon and Rodney Smith will be splitting the backfield work with wide receiver Curtis Samuel, who led the team in rushing last week.
