New Orleans Saints lose Alvin Kamara for one month with MCL sprain
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is expected to miss at least a month of NFL action after suffering a sprained MCL.
News of the knee injury to the 31-year-old was initially reported by ESPN.
The setback comes shortly after the veteran back agreed to a reworked contract to aid the franchise’s salary cap situation.
His revised deal pays a base salary of $6m this season, with performance incentives potentially increasing that figure to $8.5m.
Crowded backfield in New Orleans
Competition for snaps had already intensified following the high-profile arrival of Travis Etienne Jr in free agency.
The former Jacksonville Jaguars star signed a lucrative four-year contract in March worth more than $12m annually over its first three seasons.
Those combined salaries temporarily made the Louisiana franchise’s running back room the most expensive in the league, consuming $21m in cap space across seven players prior to the recent renegotiations.
Despite the financial squeeze, Kamara previously expressed enthusiasm during spring workouts about forming a partnership with his new team-mate.
He likened the potential on-field dynamic to his past successful tandem pairings alongside Mark Ingram and Latavius Murray.
Recent struggles and injury woes
Questions surrounding the long-term future of the versatile playmaker have been amplified by recent declines in production.
He endured a frustrating campaign last year, registering career lows with just 471 rushing yards, 186 receiving yards, and a solitary touchdown.
Furthermore, this latest ligament issue continues a troubling trend for the experienced back, who has now seen his past two seasons curtailed by injuries.