Devin Neal: Everything you need to know

The Saints placed Neal (hamstring) on injured reserve Thursday. Neal's rookie season thus is over with the Saints not eligible for a postseason berth after he sustained a hamstring injury this past Sunday against the Panthers. In 10 appearances (three starts) on the campaign, he totaled 57 carries for 206 yards and two touchdowns, hauled in 17 of 19 passes for 104 yards and didn't fumble. With Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) currently unable to practice and in danger of missing more time, New Orleans appears poised to roll with Audric Estime and Evan Hull at running back for the time being.

Saints head coach Kellen Moore said Wednesday that Neal (hamstring) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jets, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. Neal will miss at least one game due to the hamstring injury that forced him out of New Orleans's win over the Panthers in Week 15, in which he drew a third straight start in place of Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle). With Neal now ruled out and Kamara still not practicing, Evan Hull and Audric Estime now become candidates to lead the Saints' backfield heading into a crucial Week 16 fantasy slate. Hull and Estime split time versus Carolina after Neal departed with injury.

Neal (hamstring) won't return to Sunday's game against the Panthers. The Saints already have been without top RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) for what is now three straight contests, and Neal, his fill-in during that span, has been ruled out for the rest of Week 15. Neal thus will finish Sunday with seven carries for 28 yards and one touchdown and one catch (on one target) for four yards. Evan Hull and Audric Estime will be New Orleans' backfield options in the absences of Kamara and Neal.