The New Orleans Saints are in a precarious position after running back Alvin Kamara was forced to sit out for at least 10 days due to a positive COVID-19 case. His contraction of the virus will sideline him for their final game of the season against the Carolina Panthers.
As it turns out, Kamara's positive case eventually caused the entire running backs group to be identified as close contacts. The room consists of Latavius Murray, Michael Burton, Dwayne Washington, along with running backs coach Joel Thomas, who will all be ruled out of their Week 17 matchup, per Jay Glazer.
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
In response to the situation, the seldom-used Ty Montgomery will be slotting in and could possibly participate in most of the snaps as one of their ball-carriers against the Panthers, per NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport.
#Saints RB/WR Ty Montgomery has one carry this season. He last had more than 3 carries on Dec. 8 while playing for the #Jets. He’ll probably get more tomorrow with Alvin Kamara… and all the other backs out.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 2, 2021
The Saints offense will certainly suffer a major hit as the ground game previously powered them to a lopsided 52-33 victory against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16 action. Kamara's record-tying six rushing touchdowns brought the playoff-bound Saints to garner an impressive 11-4 record.
Without Kamara and company at the helm, quarterback Drew Brees will have to get creative and rely on his team's aerial attack to score points against the Panthers.
Despite being assured of a playoff spot, the Saints are still aiming for a first-round bye which will be earned if they win against the Panthers. The Green Bay Packers will also have to lose against the Chicago Bears and the Seattle Seahawks will have to emerge victorious against the San Francisco 49ers in order for them to have the top seed in the NFC Bracket.
It will be a tall task to pull off a win against the Panthers with a depleted lineup. But Drew Brees and the Saints will clearly be up for the challenge.
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