Kamara, cook out for saints
Already without quarterback Drew Brees, the Saints will be missing two other offensive threats against the Bears on Sunday — running back Alvin Kamara and tight end Jared Cook.
Kamara, a two-time Pro Bowl player and the Saints’ biggest offensive threat with Brees injured — was ruled out with ankle and foot injuries. Cook is out with an ankle injury.
Kamara’s versatility and elusiveness would have presented a key challenge for the Bears’ defense. He has 649 yards of total offense in six games — 86 carries for 373 yards (4.3 average) and a touchdown rushing; 33 receptions for 276 yards receiving (8.4 average). In two of their biggest games without Brees — a 33-27 victory over the Seahawks and a 12-10 victory over the Cowboys — Kamara accounted for 47.1 percent of the Saints’ offensive yards. He had 161 yards against the Seahawks and 89 against the Cowboys.
“He’s such a weapon,” Bears coach Matt Nagy said before Kamara was ruled out. “He’s got speed, vision, he can run between the tackles. He has excellent hands. He’s a playmaker. He knows the system. He’s one of those guys who, when you go into a game, you have to know where he’s at at all times. That’s a challenge for a defensive coordinator.”
Cook, the former Titans, Rams, Packers and Raiders tight end, has 15 receptions for 168 yards (11.2 average) and two touchdowns this season.
The Saints also will be without receiver Tre’Quan Smith (ankle) and defensive end Trey Hendrickson (neck). ✶