Kamara Sidelined a Month: Saints' Backfield Is Already in Trouble
The New Orleans Saints just caught a gut punch in the backfield. Star running back Alvin Kamara is expected to miss at least a month after spraining his MCL, per a source who told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The 31-year-old veteran is the engine of this offense — when he's on the field. And now, with the regular season looming, the Saints have to figure out how to move the ball without their most explosive weapon for the next few weeks.
Contract Chaos in the Big Easy
Kamara was already the center of salary-cap conversations in New Orleans. He's set to play on a reworked deal in 2026 — base salary of $6 million with incentives that can push it to $8.5 million. That's a pay cut from the $11.5 million base he was originally scheduled to make, and it shows just how tight things are in Saints-land.
The team went all-in on the position back in March, handing Travis Etienne Jr. a four-year deal worth more than $12 million per year over the first three years. Combine that with Kamara's money, and the Saints had around $21 million in cap space tied up in their running back room — the most in the entire NFL before Kamara's reworked contract.
When Kamara was asked about teaming up with Etienne during OTAs, he was all in, pointing to his past success splitting carries with Mark Ingram and Latavius Murray. But this isn't a reunion tour. This is about production, and Kamara's recent numbers are hard to ignore.
Age and Injuries Are Catching Up
Kamara is coming off a season where he hit career lows in rushing yards (471), receiving yards (186), and total touchdowns (one). He's also ended each of the last two seasons banged up. Now, this MCL sprain adds another chapter to that frustrating story.
The injury bug isn't just biting Kamara either. Audric Estime is also sidelined after getting hurt in Saturday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. There's some positive news, though: Kendre Miller and Devin Neal both returned to practice Tuesday after being out since early August.
The Saints' backfield is suddenly thinner than a jambalaya pot after Mardi Gras. If they want to keep the season from slipping before it even starts, somebody in that room has to step up — and fast.