Saints star RB Alvin Kamara returns vs. Jets following four-game absence

By all accounts, Taysom Hill is planning to start at quarterback for the New Orleans Saints through the rest of the season despite the injury to the middle finger of his throwing hand he suffered in the Week 13 loss to the Dallas Cowboys that dropped the Saints to 5-7 on what's quickly becoming a disappointing campaign. 

Hill and company received good news ahead of the weekend. 

Per Mike Triplett of ESPN, New Orleans star running back Alvin Kamara is back in the lineup for Sunday's matchup at the 3-9 New York Jets after he missed the last four games with knee and hamstring injuries. Kamara isn't expected to be on any pitch count, which is key because fellow Saints ball-carriers Mark Ingram II and Ty Montgomery are on the reserve/COVID-19 list. 

Both Kamara and head coach Sean Payton said Friday afternoon that the four-time Pro Bowl selection probably could've played against Dallas on Dec. 2 but that neither party wanted to risk any additional setback. 

"I felt good," Kamara said of his status on the first Thursday night of December. "But I'm definitely healthy, I'm back healthy.

"But I think Sean played it right. I wasn't mad at him for what he did. He was like, 'I just think we need another week.' I'm like, 'Ahh. I kinda want to help us win.' But it's all good."

Wide receiver Deonte Harris is serving a three-game suspension without pay, so expect Kamara to be involved in the offense early and often at MetLife Stadium. According to ESPN stats, Kamara leads the Saints with 530 rushing yards and 146 carries, and he shares the New Orleans lead with three touchdowns on the ground. He's also first among New Orleans players with 32 catches, second with four receiving scores and third with 310 receiving yards.