Saints running back Kamara tests positive for coronavirus
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has tested positive for coronavirus and has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, the team annnounced on Friday.
He will be out for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers and his postseason eligibility — at least for the wild-card round — is now in question.
Kamara, who was coming off a sixtouchdown performance on Christmas Day against the Minnesota Vikings, had mixed results on tests Friday, but a later test confirmed he is positive for COVID-19, ESPN reported.
The Saints have clinched the NFC South title and will likely host a playoff game next weekend if they don’t ascend to the conference’s top seed.
New Orleans (11- 4) can only clinch the No. 1 seed —and the first-round bye that comes with it — with a win against Carolina (5-10) plus a loss by Green Bay (123) to Chicago (8-7) and a win by Seattle (11- 4) against the 49ers (6-9).
Latavius Murray should handle the bulk of the backfield work with Kamara out.
Kamara has 187 carries for a careerhigh 932 yards and 16 touchdowns this season, tied for first in the NFL. He leads all running backs in receiving with a career-best and team-leading 83 receptions for 756 yards with five touchdowns. WASHINGTON’S SMITH UNCERTAIN FOR SUNDAY >> Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith will be listed as questionable for the regular- season finale against the host Philadelphia Eagles, coach Ron Rivera said.
Rivera, however, noted that it would be premature to say Smith would play on Sunday as he works his way past a right calf injury.
If Smith misses his third straight game, Taylor Heinicke would get the nod and Steven Montez, an undrafted rookie from Colorado, would be the backup.
Smith is 4-1 since taking over as the starter in Week 10. After missing all of 2019 recovering from a serious leg injury, he has passed for 1,420 yards and four touchdowns in seven appearances this season.
Heinicke replaced an ineffective Dwayne Haskins in the fourth quarter and completed 12 of 19 passes for 137
yards and a touchdown in a 20-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Haskins was released the following day.
Washington (6-9) can win the NFC East by beating Philadelphia (4-10-1).
ONE RECEIVER UP, ONE DOWN FOR BILLS >>
The Buffalo Bills activated John Brown from the reserve/COVID-19 list and ruled out fellow receiver Cole Beasley for Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.
Brown, previously activated from injured reserve, has missed the past five games due to an ankle injury and time on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
He has played in eight games with 29 receptions for 386 yards and two TDs.
Beasley injured his knee late in Buffalo’s 38-9 victory over the New England Patriots on Monday.
He has recorded career-best totals in catches (82) and receiving yards (967).
PACKERS’ BAKHTIARI DONE FOR SEASON >>
Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari will miss the rest of the season after the three-time Pro Bowl selection injured his knee in practice Thursday.
The injury comes six weeks after the standout left tackle agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth up to $105.5 million.