Who Should I Start? Alvin Kamara or Rashod Bateman

Sunday, August 17, 1:06 PM

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is not suiting up for the team's second preseason game on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Erin Summers of ESPN. Kamara was seen doing pre-game workouts with the rest of the team, but it's the second straight preseason game in which he will not play. Rookie Devin Neal (hamstring) also will sit out, which means the Saints will roll forward against the Jags with Kendre Miller, Cam Akers and Clyde Edwards-Helaire in their backfield. It remains to be seen if Kamara will play in the preseason finale next Saturday against the Denver Broncos. The 30-year-old five-time Pro Bowler should be a workhorse once again in head coach Kellen Moore's offense. Kamara has had at least 47 catches in his eight-year career, but he's never rushed for 1,000 yards on the ground. RotoBaller has him ranked as the RB20 in fantasy heading into the 2025 season.

Monday, July 28, 4:25 PM

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman (illness) was sent home on Monday due to an illness, according to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. There's no reason to think this will be a long-term absence for Bateman, but he could conceivably miss the next few days of practice as well. The 25-year-old is coming off the best season of his career in 2024 when he recorded 45 catches for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 games. Baltimore added some talent to the wide receiver room with the offseason addition of DeAndre Hopkins, but Bateman still profiles as an important piece of the team's offense. The Ravens' low-volume passing offense limits Bateman's fantasy upside, but he has some boom/bust appeal as a flex option in deep leagues due to his ability to make plays down the field.