Team news: New Orleans Saints

A reunion in New Orleans: 11-year veteran WR Brandin Cooks is headed back to the Saints.

Cooks returns to the franchise that drafted him in the first round in 2014.

Related Players: Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Bub Means, Velus Jones

Cooks brings some speed to New Orleans, but it's very unlikely that he's an every-down player at this point in his career. The vet hasn't hit 700 receiving yards since the 2021 season, in his second year with the Texans.

The Saints and TE Juwan Johnson agreed to terms on a 3-year, 30.75M deal that maxes out at $34.5M, per The Insiders. He gets 21.25m guaranteed. An important move in New Orleans.

Related Players: Taysom Hill, Foster Moreau

A perennial favorite in the TE streaming streets, Johnson finally hit 50 receptions last season (50-548-3) and should be in the running to put up modest-to-good numbers, even with Hill and Moreau in town. He's not draftable in typical redraft leagues, but makes a good TE3/stack option in best ball.

A new head coach doesn't appear to mean a new starting quarterback in New Orleans.

After several talks with Derek Carr about his 2025 compensation, the Saints are converting most of his salary this year into a signing bonus, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Saturday.

Considering Carr is now set to make his full $40 million salary in 2025, Garafolo added that New Orleans' conversion indicates the team intends to move forward with him as QB1 for the upcoming season.

Related Players: Spencer Rattler

The offense was quite disappointing in 2024, but there's no denying they dealt with plenty of health issues, as well. Carr will bring some stability while New Orleans looks to build around Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara, and Rashid Shaheed once again.

Saints ruled out RB Alvin Kamara and QB Derek Carr for Sunday’s game vs. the Raiders.

Related Players: Kendre Miller, Jamaal Williams, Jordan Mims

Miller had an awful showing in his first "full-time" outing (8 rushes, 15 yards), so he'll look to turn things around here against the Raiders. Consider him in the RB30-35 range for Week 17.

The Saints ruled out QB Derek Carr and RB Alvin Kamara for Week 16 against the Packers.

Carr is still dealing with his hand injury while Kamara is dealing with a groin injury that is considered week-to-week. The Saints could choose to let Kamara rest for the remainder of the season but they have yet to place him on injured reserve. Kendre Miller will get the start and is an RB2 this week against the Packers.

Spencer Rattler will get the start at quarterback. It's unlikely Carr will return this season with the season all but lost at 5-9. Rattler is not a reliable fantasy option this week, though he did show more upside than Jake Haener in Week 15.

Saints announced QB Spencer Rattler will start Monday Night vs the Packers.

Related Players: Jake Haener

We would rather see what Rattler can do out there anyways, but this is going to be a tough matchup against the Packers defense. He can safely be left on waiver wires.

Rizzi said Alvin Kamara’s injury was more significant than thought. He said it does not look great for this week.

Related Players: Kendre Miller, Jamaal Williams, Jordan Mims

Kendre Miller should get a ton of run here in Week 16, which puts him squarely on fantasy radars as a fringe RB2/3.

There’s some new reporting pouring cold water on Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi’s assertion that it’s not “a reach” to think Derek Carr will be cleared by the end of the season.

Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Carr is considered “very unlikely” to return this season.

This seemed like the most logical outcome, even when the Saints were not ruling Carr out for the season. Carr’s left hand is fractured in two places, the story pointed out. Rapoport also noted, via the story, that Carr recently underwent further examination, which determined he’s at least a few weeks away from withstanding contact.

The Chiefs have waived their former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Related players: Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Samaje Perine, Carson Steele

CEH missed some time this season for mental health reasons, an issue that goes back several years, but the Chiefs are pretty comfortable with their backfield after signing Hunt and recently getting Pacheco back from his leg injury. The team also has Perine and Steele. CEH often played key roles for the Chiefs in their playoff runs, so he may get another chance with another team, but likely isn't going to be fantasy-worthy in typical redraft leagues this season.

Darren Rizzi said Alvin Kamara's injury is a groin abductor type of situation.

Related players: Kendre Miller

The post went on to say that Kamara said it felt minor and he felt it on the touchdown catch. The post added Kamara is going to continue to go through tests. Terrell added in her post that when was asked if it was minor, Rizzi said he wasn't going to make a medical declaration. Owners should realize the Saints have no reason to rush Kamara back this season so it's possible the team plays it safe with him this week, sitting at 5-9 on the season. If Miller is on your waiver wire he should be added as he would likely take over as the RB1 if Kamara can't play. Unfortunately for owners, the Saints play on Monday night in Week 16 at the Packers so if Kamara is a game-time call, it may complicate roster decisions.