Kamara ‘explosive’ in return to Saints practice
A well-rested, healthy and vigorous Alvin Kamara was back on the Saints’ practice field Wednesday, looking “explosive” in the words of coach Dennis Allen.
New Orleans’ injured quarterback, Derek Carr, watched practice snaps unfold from behind the action, wearing his jersey but no helmet or pads.
Kamara is finally set to play after serving a threegame suspension in connection with a February 2022 melee in a Las Vegas casino hotel — and made it pretty clear that he’s ready.
“I feel like college again; I’m fresh — I’m real fresh,” Kamara said. “I’m happy. Y’all will see when I get out there. I’m excited — definitely, definitely excited. It’s going to be fun.”
Carr’s status for Sunday’s home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is less certain, but the quarterback wasn’t wearing any visible sling over his sprained right shoulder and wasn’t about to rule himself out after sitting out one practice.
“I’m going to do everything I can to, you know, be out there with my guys,” said Carr, who was injured at Green Bay on Sunday while being sacked for the 11th time in three games.
“If I can help, if I can play, I’ll play.”
Allen said that if Carr cannot play, Jameis Winston, who is 6-4 as a Saints starter since 2021, will take over under center.
■ BROWNS: Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is dealing with a sore right throwing shoulder but is expected to play Sunday when Cleveland hosts the Baltimore Ravens.
Watson, who is coming off his best game since signing with the Browns, didn’t throw during the portion of practice open to reporters on Wednesday. The 28-year-old stood behind rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson during drills and did mental reps.
Watson will be listed as “limited” on Cleveland’s injury report.
A team spokesman confirmed Watson is resting his shoulder after taking several hard hits in Sunday’s 27-3 win over the Tennessee Titans. Watson completed 27 of 33 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
■ PANTHERS: Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young is trending toward playing on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings barring any setbacks, according to coach Frank Reich.
Young was a full participant at practice on Wednesday.
The No. 1 overall pick missed last Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks with an ankle injury.
“The big thing right now is to see how he responds (Thursday) because it was good work today,” Reich said after practice. “Just have to make sure there’s no major setbacks, no flareups. But if he stays on track, then I think things are headed in the right direction.” Veteran QB Andy Dalton started last week against Seattle, injecting some life into Carolina’s struggling passing game by completing 34 of 58 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns. However, the Panthers struggled to run the ball, the team had eight false start penalties and the defense was porous in a 37-27 loss.
■ COLTS: Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson was back on the practice field Wednesday. Whether he starts Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams is still to be determined.
Coach Shane Steichen told reporters the highly touted rookie would take all the snaps with Indy’s starting offense, clearing another hurdle in the concussion protocol before reclaiming his starting job.
Richardson, knocked out of Indy’s Week 2 game against Houston, did not play last week as Gardner Minshew led the Colts to an overtime win at Baltimore.