Alvin Kamara out one month with MCL sprain

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara will be sidelined for at least one month after suffering an MCL sprain, the team confirmed on Tuesday. The injury removes the 31-year-old from the lineup during a key stretch of the 2026 National Football League season as the Saints reshuffle responsibilities in the backfield.

Kamara’s availability has been closely watched after he finished the past two seasons dealing with injuries. In 2025, he posted career lows in production, totaling 471 rushing yards and 186 receiving yards, with one total touchdown.

Saints face pressure amid multiple backfield absences

Audric Estime is also out after being injured Kamara’s injury comes as the Saints are already managing personnel issues at running back. Audric Estime is also out after being injured in a recent game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, limiting options as the team works through a cluster of absences at the same position. There was some movement toward improved availability on Tuesday. Kendre Miller and Devin Neal returned to practice, after both had been sidelined since early August with injuries. Heavy spending underscores the stakes at running back The Saints have committed significant resources to the running back room, allocating about $21 million in salary cap space across seven running backs. That figure highlights how central the position group has been to the team’s roster planning, even as availability has become a challenge.

New Orleans Saints

The investment was further reinforced by the signing of Travis Etienne Jr., who recently joined the Saints on a four-year contract worth more than $12 million per year for the first three years. With Kamara out, Etienne is among the players expected to see increased usage as the Saints adjust their offensive plan.

Kamara’s 2026 contract was reworked in March

Kamara is playing the 2026 season on a revised deal. His base salary is $6 million, and incentives could raise his earnings to $8.5 million.

Officials said the agreement was renegotiated in early March for salary cap reasons, moving away from an earlier structure that could have carried an $11.5 million base salary.

What changes next for New Orleans

With Kamara sidelined and Estime unavailable, the Saints are expected to rely more heavily on Etienne and on players coming back into the mix such as Miller and Neal. How quickly those returning from injury can contribute will be a central factor in the team’s ability to sustain offensive output during Kamara’s absence.

The team has not detailed a precise return date beyond the minimum one-month timeline, leaving uncertainty around how long the reshaped backfield rotation will remain in place. A longer absence would require continued adjustments in play-calling and personnel usage as the 2026 season progresses.