The New Orleans Saints head into a crucial NFC South clash against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season dealing with several key injuries, including multiple season-ending losses, which have significant implications for fantasy football managers.
The Wednesday injury report provided some clarity, but managers must monitor updates on key starters throughout the week to make informed lineup decisions, especially given the impact of recent long-term injuries.
Key Saints Offensive Injuries and Fantasy Impact
WR Chris Olave (Ankle):
- Report: Did Not Practice (DNP) on Wednesday. Olave picked up an ankle injury in Week 7 but still had a massive fantasy outing (5 rec, 98 yards, 2 TDs).
- Fantasy Impact: Early reports suggest the injury is minor and he is still expected to play. Olave has been the most consistent fantasy producer on the team, commanding a high target share. With multiple teams on bye, his potential availability is a huge relief. Fantasy managers should monitor Friday’s practice reports, but for now, plan to start Olave as a high-end WR2.
RB Alvin Kamara (Ankle):
- Report: Limited Participant (LP) on Wednesday due to an ankle injury.
- Fantasy Impact: Kamara’s involvement in practice is encouraging. With backup Kendre Miller (ACL) lost for the season in Week 7, Kamara’s snap share is expected to be extremely high for the rest of the year. While he’s been inefficient on the ground in 2025, his usage guarantees a weekly floor. Despite a tough matchup against a Buccaneers run defense that has been stingy this season, Kamara remains a must-start RB due to volume, particularly in PPR formats.
TE Juwan Johnson (Neck):
- Report: Limited Participant (LP) on Wednesday.
- Fantasy Impact: Johnson’s limited status is an improvement on a full absence. He has been a streaky fantasy asset but is coming off a solid stretch of production before a Week 7 goose egg. With an NFC South defense on the docket, he remains a viable streaming option at a thin position if he progresses to a full practice by Friday.
Season-Ending Injuries Creating Opportunity
The Saints offense took a major hit in Week 7 with two season-ending injuries that create clear shifts in fantasy opportunity:
- RB Kendre Miller (Torn ACL): Miller’s season-ending injury elevates Kamara’s floor and usage. More importantly, it brings Rookie RB Devin Neal (and potentially utility player Taysom Hill) into the conversation for backup work. Neal is a deep-league handcuff and waiver-wire stash, though his role may be minimal if Kamara handles the bulk of the snaps.
- C Erik McCoy (Torn Bicep): Losing the veteran center is a blow to the offensive line, which could translate to more pressure on QB Spencer Rattler and less effective run blocking. This only further complicates Kamara’s ground game efficiency and adds a layer of risk for Saints skill players.
Look Ahead to the Buccaneers’ Side
While focusing on the Saints, fantasy managers should note that the Buccaneers have also been decimated by injuries at wide receiver:
- WR Mike Evans (Broken Collarbone): Ruled out for most, if not all, of the season.
- WR Chris Godwin (Fibula): Ruled out for Week 8.
These absences mean a greater concentration of targets for the remaining Buccaneers pass-catchers, potentially making the Saints defense a slightly less daunting matchup for the available New Orleans offensive players.
The Bottom Line for Fantasy Managers
- Chris Olave: Monitor practice status closely, but plan to start as a high-volume WR.
- Alvin Kamara: A volume-based must-start RB. His usage should be maximized with Miller out, despite light practice due to ankle.
- Juwan Johnson: A streamer consideration at TE if he practices fully late in the week. This is a gamble. IF you have another TE, you may want to sub in for Johnson.
The overall health of the Saints’ offense, particularly the line, adds volatility to their fantasy outputs, but the injuries have at least made the hierarchy of touches more defined. How is your Fantasy Roster holding up for week 8? Which, if any, Saints players are starting on your roster? Let us know in the comments below.
