Alvin Kamara Reportedly Set for Extended Absence with Knee Injury, Latest Rumors on Saints RB

The injury toll is rising for the New Orleans Saints with Alvin Kamara likely to miss the start of the regular season.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Kamara is expected to be sidelined for at least one month due to a sprained MCL.

This comes on the heels of Jordyn Tyson suffering a hamstring injury last week during a joint practice against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is expected to miss around two months.

Kamara was injured during an eventful joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, though his injury did not occur in the physical altercations.

Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reported on Tuesday that Kamara avoided a "major" injury to his knee, but he was expected to miss at least a few weeks.

Kamara's status for the 2026 season was a question mark throughout the offseason amid rumblings he could either be released or retire. The five-time Pro Bowler ultimately returned to the Saints right before training camp by agreeing to a restructured contract.

A sprained MCL kept Kamara out for the final six games of the 2025 season. He finished last year with a career-low 657 yards from scrimmage and one total touchdown in 11 starts.

The Saints did boost their running back room in free agency by signing Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year, $52 million contract. He was set to be the starter regardless of Kamara's status, so this only soldifies his standing on the depth chart.

Losing Kamara and Tyson for at least some period at the start of the regular season puts a huge dent in New Orleans' skill-position talent.

Etienne, Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson figure to be featured even more in head coach Kellen Moore's offense.

A one-month absence would likely rule Kamara out for the season opener against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 13 and leaves his status for Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens unclear.

The Saints' home opener is on Sept. 27 against the Las Vegas Raiders.