Key facts
- Alvin Kamara suffered MCL sprain during joint practice with Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday
- Expected to miss at least one month, likely out for Week 1 of regular season
- 31-year-old in his 10th season with Saints; registered 471 rushing yards and 33 receptions in 2025
- Saints added Travis Etienne in free agency to assume lead back role
- Kamara renegotiated deal with New Orleans last month for 2026 season
The injury and timeline
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara sustained a sprained MCL during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Kamara is expected to be sidelined for at least the next month as a result of the injury.
Given the one-month recovery window, Kamara will almost certainly miss Week 1 of the regular season, which takes place on September 13 against the Detroit Lions. The timeline leaves open the possibility he could return as early as Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens or potentially Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders, depending on his recovery progress. However, the injury will keep him out for the remainder of the preseason.
Kamara’s 2025 season and contract status
The 31-year-old running back has spent his entire career with the Saints since the team selected him in the third round of the 2017 draft. In 2025, Kamara started 11 games, accumulating 471 rushing yards with one touchdown and caught 33 passes for 186 yards. Last month, he reached an agreement on a renegotiated contract with New Orleans for the 2026 season.
Saints’ backfield adjustments
The Saints addressed the running back position in free agency by adding veteran Travis Etienne, who is now positioned to serve as the team’s lead running back for 2026 in Kamara’s absence. The injury also comes as the Saints cope with other significant offensive injuries, including losses at wide receiver and another position, compounding roster challenges heading into the season.
Sources
Featured photo: TaurusEmerald via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)