The New Orleans Saints lost the game in Week 12, and they'll have to wait and see if they also lost their star running back for an extended period in the process.
Alvin Kamara left with a knee injury in the second quarter and did not return during the 24-10 loss to the Falcons. The injury is believed to be a knee sprain, according to a report from the NFL Network.
The injury occurred when Kamara was taken to the ground by former Saints LB Kaden Elliss. The RB's legs bent back awkwardly and he went into the injury tent before returning to the sideline, appearing ready to return. Kamara returned to the tent a few minutes later before heading back to the locker room before being ruled out. Kamara's absence meant the heaviest workload of the season for rookie Devin Neal, who was able to give the Saints a spark on the ground and through the air as they moved the ball in the third quarter.
Kamara finished the game with 13 total yards and was involved in an early fumble when QB Tyler Shough lost control of the ball after it hit the RBs elbow on a play-action fake.
“It obviously sucks," Shough said, "but I was really proud of Devin and what he was able to do. I mean, he was laying the boom quite a few times and doing his job really well."
Neal, a 6th round draft pick out of Kansas, managed just 18 yards on 7 carries, but his biggest impact was in the passing game where he rolled up 43 yards on five catches, in several instances bailing Shough out of dicey situations.
"I think the coaching staff has done a phenomenal job of keeping me in the loop, keeping me in practice, you know, still getting reps and so I felt really comfortable being out there," Neal said.
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The Saints only had two running backs active, which meant some new assignments for Taysom Hill throughout the second half. Hill added 17 yards on his 10 carries, several of which coming down toward the goal line where the Saints twice failed to score on drives that got down to the Falcons' 1 yard line.
Should Kamara miss time the Saints will most likely turn to Audric Estime, who was signed midseason has been on the active roster the past several weeks, though he's yet to appear in a game. The Saints also have Evan Hull on the practice squad.
The Saints will next head to face the Miami Dolphins in Week 13.