Alvin Kamara to Miss at Least a Month Due to MCL Sprain

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is expected to be out for at least a month after suffering an MCL sprain during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys. This injury will prevent him from participating in the Saints' season opener on September 13 against the Detroit Lions.

Although Kamara avoided significant ligament damage, he will now play the 2026 season under a restructured contract, earning a base salary of $6 million with potential incentives bringing it up to $8.5 million. His contract was renegotiated earlier this year for salary-cap reasons. With Kamara sidelined, Travis Etienne is anticipated to take over as the starting running back, while Kendre Miller and Devin Neal will also be part of the running back rotation.

Kamara, who has been with the Saints since being drafted in 2017, is the franchise's all-time leading rusher with 7,250 rushing yards and 61 touchdowns. His absence is expected to elevate Etienne's fantasy football value significantly, as he will no longer have to share carries with Kamara in the early part of the season.