New Orleans – The New Orleans Saints confirmed that veteran running back Alvin Kamara will miss the next few weeks after a knee injury sustained during Tuesday’s joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys. Multiple media outlets reported that Kamara, 31, left the session early due to the injury but avoided any serious damage.
Injury details and recovery outlook
According to the report from NewOrleans.football, Kamara’s knee injury is not classified as severe, yet team doctors have decided to keep him on the sidelines to ensure a full recovery. The Saints expect the player to be unavailable for at least two to three weeks, though the exact return date will depend on his progress in rehabilitation.
Kamara’s career with the Saints
Kamara has spent his entire NFL career with New Orleans, having been selected in the third round of the 2017 draft. Over the past seven seasons, he has become the franchise’s all‑time leader in rushing yards (7,250) and rushing touchdowns (61). He earned Pro Bowl honors in each of his first five seasons, though he has not been selected since 2021.
Last season, Kamara’s production was limited by injuries to both his knee and ankle, resulting in a career‑low 11 games played, 471 rushing yards and a single touchdown. Despite the setbacks, he re‑signed with the Saints this offseason after agreeing to a restructured contract that keeps him in New Orleans.
Role moving forward
With the recent signing of former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. to a four‑year, $52 million contract, the Saints are expected to shift Kamara into a backup role this season. Etienne’s arrival adds depth to the backfield, and the team plans to use Kamara’s experience in a complementary capacity once he returns from injury.
Coach Dennis Allen emphasized the importance of depth at the running back position and praised Kamara’s professionalism during his recovery. “Alvin’s commitment to the team and his work ethic are exemplary,” Allen said. “We look forward to having him back and contributing in whatever capacity the team needs.”
What fans can expect
Saints supporters will likely see Etienne take on a larger share of the workload in the short term, while Kamara’s presence on the sidelines provides veteran leadership for the younger players. The team’s medical staff will continue to monitor his progress, and updates will be provided as his condition improves.
For now, the focus remains on ensuring Kamara returns healthy and ready to contribute to the Saints’ offensive plans later in the season.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
