METAIRIE, La. – The situation regarding Alvin Kamara’s groin injury appears to be more serious than what the New Orleans Saints initially assessed. Coach Darren Rizzi spoke on Thursday and indicated that it is still uncertain how many of the remaining three games Kamara will miss. He said, “He’s going to be week to week at the moment. And to be honest, it doesn’t look great for this week,” as the team gears up to face the Green Bay Packers on Monday night. Rizzi added that the team will need to evaluate Kamara’s condition on an ongoing basis to determine whether his absence might extend over several weeks.

Rizzi also addressed the status of quarterback Derek Carr, stating he has not been ruled out for the season despite some speculation regarding his availability. The coach mentioned that Carr is highly motivated to return to the field, emphasizing that he is completely committed to his rehabilitation efforts. In addition, top wide receiver Chris Olave, who has faced issues concerning concussions this year, has entered a 21-day window where he can practice without affecting the active roster limit.

Initially, it was thought that Kamara’s injury wouldn’t be too severe, but it has since been deemed “a little bit more significant,” implying that he might face a longer recovery time. Surgery has not been ruled out, and Rizzi noted that there are various medical opinions being considered. “All of us, medical staff, Alvin, everybody is just going to kind of take a deep breath here and kind of see what the best option is for him moving forward,” Rizzi stated. He expressed hope that Kamara could return before the end of the season but acknowledged that the situation is fluid.

As for Carr, Rizzi affirmed the quarterback’s desire to play again this season, stating, “He wants to come back and play. There is absolutely zero doubt about that.” Carr has been diligent in his rehabilitation and is present at the facility daily, focusing on his recovery. Although he suffered a hand injury in the Saints’ recent win against the New York Giants, Rizzi indicated that Carr is still a possibility for the game against Green Bay, as he has yet to be formally sidelined.

Meanwhile, Spencer Rattler is preparing to step in as a starter should Carr be unable to play. “I appreciate and respect the fact he wants to come back and play,” Rizzi said, clarifying that the decision to return will ultimately depend on Carr’s capacity to perform the quarterback duties fully. He reassured that if Carr were to be out for the season, they would have already placed him on injured reserve. “That’s just not the case,” Rizzi stated.

For Chris Olave, the news was cautiously optimistic, although Rizzi expressed doubts about the receiver playing again this season. However, he referred to Olave being cleared for football activities as “great news” and expressed his happiness for Olave both as a player and a person. “We’re going to take it step by step with him,” Rizzi concluded, reflecting on his hope for Olave’s gradual progress.