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Alvin Kamara to miss Saints' Lions opener month

8/20/2026

29 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Kamara Out

Alvin Kamara will miss a month with a sprained MCL after Tuesday’s practice with Dallas Cowboys, forcing him to sit out the Sept. 13 opener versus the Detroit Lions.
The Saints restructured Kamara’s contract and signed Travis Etienne Jr. to a $48 million deal after his 2025 total of 1,107 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
Etienne will lead while backups Kendre Miller, Devin Neal and rookie Jordyn Tyson are sidelined with injuries.

Summary

Allen Ascends

Braelon Allen’s increased workload with the Jets makes him a viable fantasy RB2 if Hall’s recovery is cautious.
Chiefs rookie Johnson has surged into a top-tier handcuff role for Kenneth Walker, earning a higher fantasy ranking.
Analysts have shifted Breece Hall into the RB2/Flex tier, citing his groin strain as a downgrade from RB1 status.

History

Historical Context

In 1999 the St. Louis Rams signed Marshall Faulk to a seven-year, $45.2 million contract, the first running-back deal of that size and a key factor in the “Greatest Show on Turf” that captured Super Bowl XXXIV. That benchmark drives today’s market, prompting the New Orleans Saints to restructure Alvin Kamara’s deal and the Jets to rely on rookie Braelon Allen while Breece Hall recovers.

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Kamara Out

Alvin Kamara will miss a month with a sprained MCL after Tuesday’s practice with Dallas Cowboys, forcing him to sit out the Sept. 13 opener versus the Detroit Lions.
The Saints restructured Kamara’s contract and signed Travis Etienne Jr. to a $48 million deal after his 2025 total of 1,107 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.
Etienne will lead while backups Kendre Miller, Devin Neal and rookie Jordyn Tyson are sidelined with injuries.

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