The black and gold came away with a win, but not without cost: several players exited the game with injuries of varying severity. Afterwards, New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen shared updates on Alvin Kamara and those other players who left Sunday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though it may take some time before we know for certain when they’ll be able to return to the lineup.
Here’s what we do know after Allen spoke with the media after the final whistle:
Alvin Kamara
Kamara was tackled awkwardly just before halftime, suffering what’s believed to be a high ankle sprain to his right leg. He didn’t return from the locker room for the second half. If that’s the case, Kamara almost certainly won’t be able to suit up for the regular season finale with the Atlanta Falcons. We may have already seen the last of him this season even if the Saints do find a way to win and advance to the playoffs. This is the same kind of injury that has sidelined rookie running back Kendre Miller since Week 9 and star cornerback Marshon Lattimore since Week 10.
Landon Young
Young re-injured the same knee that caused him to miss time back in training camp; after initially being questionable to return, the Saints later announced that he had been ruled out. The good news is that he was able to come back from this same injured knee earlier this year. The bad news is that time is not on his side, and the Saints were already counting on Young to fill in for Ryan Ramczyk at the right tackle spot. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that Young isn’t believed to require surgery.
RT Cameron Erving
The Saints were down their third-string right tackle at one point in this game, too, but Erving was able to return after experiencing some cramping in his legs. He’ll be fine. Assuming Young is unable to play next week (along with Ramczyk), the Saints will be tasking Erving with holding it down on the right side of their line.
Nephi Sewell
Allen said that Sewell “will miss significant time” which has usually meant they’re done for the season, in his parlance. It’s a really tough blow for a young player on the rise. Sewell plays a ton of snaps on special teams for the Saints and he’s been their go-to backup at the middle linebacker spot whenever Demario Davis has needed a breather. It remains to be seen whether he’ll need surgery, but it doesn’t sound good.
