Injury Update: Alvin Kamara Out for Month
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara will miss at least one month due to a sprained MCL. This injury presents an early challenge for the team as they prepare for the 2026 season.
Kamara, now 31, suffered the MCL sprain and will need at least four weeks off. With proper care, MCL sprains typically allow full recovery without surgery. The Saints are taking a cautious approach, focusing on reducing swelling, restoring stability, and slowly reintroducing contact drills. No exact return date has been set beyond the one-month estimate.
Kamara is playing the 2026 season under a new contract that pays him $6 million in base salary plus incentives totaling up to $8.5 million. This replaces his previous deal, which could have paid him up to $11.5 million. Earlier this year, the Saints renegotiated his contract for salary cap relief.
Around the same time, New Orleans signed Travis Etienne Jr., a former Jacksonville Jaguars running back, to a four-year deal averaging over $12 million annually in the first three seasons. This makes the Saints’ running-back position costly both financially and in terms of cap space. Before Kamara’s contract change, the Saints had allocated roughly $21 million in cap dollars to their seven running backs, the highest total in the league.
The Saints’ backfield is already thin. Audric Estime remains out after an injury during a preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. On a positive note, Kendre Miller and Devin Neal have returned to practice after missing time since early August. Their availability provides the coaching staff with more options while Kamara recovers.
Kamara’s recent performance has raised questions. Last season, he recorded career lows in rushing yards (471), receiving yards (186), and total touchdowns (1). He has also dealt with injuries in each of the past two seasons, adding scrutiny to his role at age 31.
During organized team activities, Kamara expressed excitement about sharing carries with Etienne, recalling earlier successes alongside Mark Ingram and Latavius Murray. However, that partnership will now have to wait. Etienne is expected to handle a heavier workload early in the season, while Miller, Neal, and the remaining backs compete for snaps.