New Orleans, LA – It’s a critical game for the New Orleans Saints as they strive to secure a playoff spot as NFC South champions. However, their efforts will be hindered by the absence of key offensive player, Alvin Kamara. The running back will be inactive for Sunday’s home game against the Atlanta Falcons due to an ankle sprain sustained in last week’s victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kamara’s absence creates an opportunity for Jamaal Williams to take the lead role in the Saints’ backfield.
Despite the setback, the Saints will have tight end Juwan Johnson in the lineup. Johnson, dealing with a chest injury, has been cleared to play against the Falcons. This should provide some relief for the Saints’ offense as they seek to secure a win and rely on the Carolina Panthers for help in order to advance to the playoffs.
In other NFL matchups, the New England Patriots will face the New York Jets. The Patriots will be without quarterback Mac Jones, wide receiver Tyquan Thornton, safety Joshuah Bledsoe, running back JaMycal Hasty, tight end La’Michael Pettway, and defensive lineman Sam Roberts. The Jets, on the other hand, will not have quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver Allen Lazard, offensive lineman Austin Deculus, defensive end Carl Lawson, cornerback Bryce Hall, linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball, and kicker Austin Seibert in their lineup for the game.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set to take on the Carolina Panthers. The Buccaneers will not have quarterback John Wolford, wide receiver Rakim Jarrett, linebacker K.J. Britt, linebacker Markees Watts, and offensive tackle Brandon Walton available for the game. The Panthers, on the other hand, will be missing kicker Eddy Pineiro, cornerback Shaquill Griffin, offensive tackle Ricky Lee, guards Cade Mays and Ilm Manning, wide receiver Mike Strachan, and linebacker Marquis Haynes.
The Cincinnati Bengals will face the Cleveland Browns in what is sure to be a competitive divisional matchup. The Browns’ inactive list includes cornerback Greg Newsome II, safety Juan Thornhill, wide receivers Amari Cooper and Marquise Goodwin, kicker Dustin Hopkins, cornerback Mike Ford Jr., and defensive end Myles Garrett. The Bengals will be without wide receiver Tee Higgins, cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, running back Chris Evans, offensive linemen Trey Hill and D’Ante Smith, tight end Irv Smith, and defensive tackle Travis Bell.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Falcons will visit the New Orleans Saints. Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke, center Drew Dalman, cornerback Natrone Brooks, defensive end Zach Harrison, safety DeMarco Hellams, and defensive tackle Tommy Togiai will be inactive for the game. For the Saints, apart from Alvin Kamara, quarterback Jake Haener, wide receiver Keith Kirkwood, linebacker Monty Rice, defensive end Kyle Phillips, safety Lonnie Johnson, and offensive lineman Landon Young will not be playing.
Lastly, the Minnesota Vikings will travel to face the Detroit Lions. The Vikings’ inactive list includes offensive tackle Brian O’Neill, guard Ed Ingram, cornerbacks Byron Murphy Jr. and Mekhi Blackmon, safety Theo Jackson, defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy, and quarterback Jaren Hall. The Lions will be without wide receiver Jameson Williams, tight end Brock Wright, defensive lineman John Cominsky, linebacker Charles Harris, cornerback Steven Gilmore, defensive tackle Brodric Martin, and quarterback Hendon Hooker.
As the 1 p.m. ET games kick off, these team rosters highlight the players who will be absent, which could have a significant impact on the outcomes of the matchups.