Alvin Kamara’s positive COVID-19 test this week was a cause for concern among New Orleans Saints fans. Sean Payton’s team had already secured a playoff spot, so not having Kamara – or the rest of the running back room due to contact tracing – wasn’t the big issue for Sunday’s season finale at Carolina but for the playoffs.

The Saints got some good news from the NFL on Sunday evening. The New Orleans-Chicago playoff game is scheduled for next Sunday at 3:40 p.m. With the game on Jan. 10, Kamara will be eligible to be activated and exit isolation if he is asymptomatic. The former Tennessee Volunteer would not have been able to play in a Jan. 9 playoff game.

Kamara’s absence did not hurt the team on Sunday as the Saints defeated the Panthers 33-7. For the playoffs, however, New Orleans certainly wants one of the league’s best players to be available. Kamara is second in the NFL in rushing touchdowns with 16 while averaging an impressive 5 yards per carry (187 rushes, 932 yards). Kamara is also a weapon in the passing game. The fourth-year running back has recorded 83 catches for 756 yards and 5 TDs in 15 games this season.