METAIRIE, La. -- Of course the New Orleans Saints missed breakout rookie star Alvin Kamara when he left Thursday night’s 20-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons with a concussion on the opening series.
But for one play, at least, it felt like Kamara was still out there.
Second-year receiver Tommylee Lewis did his best impression of the dynamic dual-threat running back with his sensational 26-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter -- the first TD of Lewis’ career.
Lewis caught a pass from Drew Brees around the 5-yard line, then took a step backward to make safety Keanu Neal miss him. Somehow, Lewis had the awareness to keep both feet in bounds by his toes as he hovered over the sideline. Then he sprinted toward the end zone just before getting hit by linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.
“I thought it was a great effort," Brees said. “He stepped up and really did a great job. He was called upon to step in and make some plays, and just how he has all season long, he kind of has had a package of plays.
“With Kamara being down and just with some other scenarios, you need a guy to be able to step in and fill the role, know the job and then execute it very well. And he did that.”
In the process, Lewis became the 60th player to catch a TD pass from Brees during his stellar 17-year career with the Saints and San Diego Chargers. (Last year, I had a fun exchange with Brees when I asked him how many of his Saints TD partners he could name in less than two minutes).
Lewis, however, stands out more than most as a perfect example of that “next man up” mentality that so many NFL players and coaches espouse.
Lewis, who has primarily served as a kick returner with the Saints during his two years with the team as an undrafted free agent, had only played 11 total offensive snaps in the five previous games. And he only played a total of six offensive snaps on Thursday night. But he was needed to replace Kamara in the five-wide receiver set the Saints were using in that particular two-minute drill.
“That's part of being a pro," Lewis told reporters after the game. "You've got to know everything when you're in this offense. At any time, something can happen to anybody.
“It felt good; it felt real good, but it comes with a loss. ... If it would have come with a win, I would have been a little more excited.”
Lewis (5-foot-7, 168 pounds) became a breakout star in his first preseason, when Sean Payton revealed that the diminutive but dynamic athlete from Northern Illinois wasn’t even on the Saints’ radar until he was recommended by their shared mentor -- Bill Parcells.
Lewis' opportunities on offense have been few and far between in the regular season. But clearly he made the most of them Thursday.
Kamara, meanwhile, will have to be cleared through the NFL’s concussion protocol before he is eligible to return for New Orleans’ Week 15 home date with the New York Jets. Kamara expressed optimism that he will do just that in the hours after Thursday’s loss:
Right back at it next week. Hellyatalmboutt 🕺🏾⚜️
— Alvin Kamara (@A_kamara6) December 8, 2017
The Saints lost a total of six players to injuries Thursday -- which led to some vocal complaints from Brees and others about the health risks associated with Thursday night games.
But players and Payton were quick to credit the backup players, like Lewis, who stepped up and played key roles. Veteran safety/special-teams specialist Chris Banjo also intercepted the first pass of his five-year career after starting safety Kenny Vaccaro left with a groin injury.
“We managed and guys stepped up and did a great job,” Brees said. “Guys battled tonight, they really did. ... I love the way our guys fought.”
“This is a gutsy loss. I think there’s a hidden message in this thing,” Vaccaro said. “To play like they played to the end with guys out from every part of the defense, I thought it brought our team closer. I think this loss is gonna do more good than bad.”