There are season finales that feel like celebrations, others that feel like auditions for the future—and then there are those that quietly reveal just how demanding an NFL season truly is. As the New Orleans Saints prepare to close the book on their 2025 regular season against their fiercest rival, the Atlanta Falcons, the anticipation surrounding the matchup is being shaped less by schemes and storylines and more by a sobering reality: availability. On Friday, Saints head coach Kellen Moore confirmed what many around the league had feared but hoped to avoid—New Orleans will take the field in Atlanta without several of its most important contributors, a development that adds intrigue, uncertainty, and urgency to a finale already heavy with emotion.
Saints Face the Falcons with Major Absences
Kellen Moore officially ruled out five major contributors for Sunday’s Week 18 matchup, dealing a significant blow to the Saints’ effort to finish the season on a high note and potentially secure a fifth straight victory. While injuries are an unavoidable part of the NFL, the timing and concentration of these absences—spread across both sides of the ball—underscore just how physically taxing the season has been for New Orleans.
The players officially ruled out are:
DT Bryan Bresee (knee)
RB Alvin Kamara (knee)
WR Chris Olave (lung)
DT Nathan Shepherd (knee)
TE Jack Stoll (knee – injured reserve)
WR Mason Tipton (groin – injured reserve)
Though some of these absences were expected, their collective impact cannot be overstated. These are not fringe roster players; they are core contributors whose presence shapes how the Saints play on both offense and defense.
The Good News: Three Key Players Could Return
Before diving deeper into the ramifications of those losses, Moore did offer some cautious optimism. Three important Saints—Demario Davis, Dillon Radunz, and Spencer Rattler—were all listed as questionable and could play against Atlanta.
Demario Davis (calf)
Dillon Radunz (knee)
Spencer Rattler (finger)
If all three are able to suit up, it would provide a much-needed boost to a roster stretched thin by injuries.
Radunz, the Saints’ starting left guard, has been particularly important. With right guard Cesar Ruiz trending toward a return after missing two games, New Orleans could potentially field four of its five starting offensive linemen for the first time in weeks—an encouraging sign for an offense seeking continuity.
Demario Davis: The Heartbeat of the Defense
No questionable tag carries more weight than that of Demario Davis.
At 35 years old, Davis has been nothing short of remarkable in 2025. He has not missed a single game this season and has played 98% of the Saints’ defensive snaps, a staggering workload for any linebacker, let alone one in his 14th NFL season.
Davis leads New Orleans with 137 tackles, the highest total of his distinguished career, and his influence goes far beyond statistics. His instincts, anticipation, and leadership are the foundation of the Saints’ defense. Teammates consistently point to his preparation and communication as reasons the unit remains competitive despite injuries elsewhere.
If Davis is unable to play, the Saints will turn to Pete Werner and rookie Danny Stutsman to start in the middle, with Isaiah Stalbird expected to see increased snaps, particularly in passing situations. While those players are capable, replacing Davis’ command of the defense is an impossible task.
Alvin Kamara’s Absence Looms Large
Perhaps the most emotionally significant absence is Alvin Kamara.
The Saints’ all-time leading rusher has not played since exiting a Week 12 loss to Atlanta with a knee injury, and he will miss his fifth straight game on Sunday. Kamara’s 2025 season ends with 471 rushing yards and 33 receptions for 186 receiving yards in 11 games, career lows across the board—numbers that reflect both his injury struggles and the offense’s inconsistency.
Kamara’s impact has always transcended the stat sheet. His vision, patience, and ability to turn routine plays into explosive moments have defined the Saints’ offense for nearly a decade. Without him, the Saints lose not just production, but identity.
In his place, Audric Estime will once again get the start. The rookie is coming off the best performance of his young career, rushing for 94 yards in last week’s win over Tennessee. Estime’s physical running style offers promise, but Sunday will be his toughest test yet, facing a Falcons defense familiar with the Saints’ tendencies.
Chris Olave’s Absence Hits Differently
While Kamara’s injury affects the Saints’ on-field strategy, Chris Olave’s absence carries a deeper emotional weight.
Olave was ruled out due to a blood clot in his lung, a serious medical condition confirmed earlier this week. This is not a football injury, and the Saints’ decision to shut him down immediately reflects the gravity of the situation.
Olave has been the Saints’ most consistent receiving threat, leading the team in yards and serving as the offense’s primary downfield option. His precise route-running and ability to create separation have been essential in critical moments.
But beyond football, the priority is clear: Olave’s health comes first. The Saints and NFL are proceeding with caution, and while expectations remain that he will make a full recovery, his season finale absence is a reminder that some things are bigger than the game.
Defensive Line Depth Tested Again
The Saints’ defensive front will also be significantly shorthanded.
Both Bryan Bresee and Nathan Shepherd are ruled out with knee injuries, removing two key interior defenders from a unit that relies heavily on rotation and physicality. Bresee, in particular, has been an important part of the Saints’ pass rush, while Shepherd’s strength against the run has anchored early downs.
Without them, New Orleans will lean more heavily on remaining depth players, asking them to handle increased snaps against an Atlanta offense eager to exploit mismatches.
Tight End and Receiver Depth Stretched Thin
The injuries don’t stop there.
Tight end Jack Stoll remains on injured reserve, while wide receiver Mason Tipton is also sidelined, further limiting the Saints’ offensive flexibility. With Olave out and depth thinned, the Saints will rely on lesser-used receivers and tight ends to step into expanded roles.
For young players, this represents opportunity. For the coaching staff, it represents a challenge—how to design an offense capable of moving the ball efficiently without its most dynamic playmakers.
Kellen Moore’s First Major Test in New Orleans
This game also serves as a revealing moment for Kellen Moore, who is navigating his first season as Saints head coach.
Moore has preached adaptability and resilience all year, and Sunday will test both. With injuries forcing lineup changes across the roster, Moore’s ability to manage the game, adjust schematically, and motivate his team will be under the microscope.
How the Saints respond—emotionally and tactically—will say a lot about the culture Moore is building in New Orleans.
The Stakes Against Atlanta
Even with injuries piling up, the Saints have plenty to play for.
Pride against a division rival
Momentum heading into the offseason
Evaluation of young talent
The chance to finish the season on a winning streak
Atlanta, meanwhile, will look to capitalize on New Orleans’ depleted lineup, adding another layer of intensity to an already heated rivalry.
Next Man Up: A Familiar Saints Theme
If there’s one phrase that defines the Saints’ 2025 season, it’s “next man up.”
From Week 1 to Week 18, injuries have forced adjustments, reshuffled rotations, and demanded growth from young players. Sunday’s finale is simply the latest chapter in that story.
For veterans, it’s about leadership. For rookies, it’s about opportunity. For the Saints as a whole, it’s about finishing strong—regardless of who is on the field.
Conclusion: A Finale Defined by Resilience
When the Saints take the field in Atlanta, they won’t be at full strength. They’ll be missing stars, leaders, and playmakers. But they’ll also be armed with something just as powerful—resolve.
Injuries may shape the lineup, but effort, pride, and belief will shape the outcome. The Saints’ season finale isn’t just about wins and losses; it’s about how a team responds when circumstances are far from ideal.
Sunday will offer one final answer.
And for New Orleans, that answer matters—now and for what comes next.
