Story perspectives

Kamara MCL Sprain Could Miss Season Opener, Saints Adjust

8/20/2026

Summary

Kamara Misses Season

Alvin Kamara sprained his MCL in a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, missing at least a month and the season opener versus the Detroit Lions.
He played only 11 games last season, posting 657 yards and one touchdown, his first sub-1,000-yard total.
After the Saints signed Travis Etienne Jr. to a $48 million contract in March, they will rely on Kendre Miller and Devin Neal while Kamara recovers.

Summary

Kamara Re-signs

Alvin Kamara signed a renegotiated contract for 2026 season, staying the Saints’ leader with 7,250 rushing yards, 61 rushing touchdowns, 4,948 receiving yards and 25 receiving touchdowns.
Head coach Kellen Moore said the Saints will use a deep running-back committee instead of a single lead back.
Travis Etienne Jr. received a four-year contract worth $12 million per season.
New Orleans ranked in the league’s bottom five for rushing yards and touchdowns in 2025.

History

Historical Context

The NFL’s 1993 collective bargaining agreement introduced unrestricted free agency and a hard salary cap of $34.6 million for the 1994 season, curbing wealth-driven roster stacking. Subsequent CBAs—most notably the 2011 deal that set a 99 % spend guarantee and the 2020 agreement adding a 17th game—have forced teams such as the Cowboys and Saints to spread contracts across multiple players to stay under the cap.

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Kamara Misses Season

Alvin Kamara sprained his MCL in a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, missing at least a month and the season opener versus the Detroit Lions.
He played only 11 games last season, posting 657 yards and one touchdown, his first sub-1,000-yard total.
After the Saints signed Travis Etienne Jr. to a $48 million contract in March, they will rely on Kendre Miller and Devin Neal while Kamara recovers.

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