The New Orleans Saints will apparently open the season without one of the biggest names on their offense.
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Five-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara is expected to miss at least a month with a sprained MCL, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Kamara suffered the injury during Tuesday's joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys.
The timing isn't ideal for New Orleans.
The Saints open the regular season against the Detroit Lions in 25 days, meaning Kamara is expected to miss Week 1. Their Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens comes 32 days from now, putting that game near the earliest end of his reported recovery timeline.
It would mark just the second time in Kamara's NFL career that he has missed a season opener.
The 31-year-old is coming off the most difficult statistical season of his career. Kamara appeared in a career-low 11 games while dealing with another knee injury and finished with 657 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara is expected to be sidelined for at least the next month due to a sprained MCL, per source. pic.twitter.com/trWgn6ZQBk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 19, 2026
New Orleans also signed running back Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year, $48 million contract in March, signaling that Kamara's workload could be reduced this season.
Still, Kamara was listed as a co-starter on the Saints' initial preseason depth chart and was expected to remain particularly important in passing situations.
With Kamara sidelined, New Orleans has Etienne, Kendre Miller and Devin Neal among its backfield options.
It's another significant preseason injury for the Saints' offense. Rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, the No. 8 overall pick in this year's draft, is expected to miss at least two months with a hamstring injury.
The Saints were hoping to carry some momentum from last season into 2026.
Instead, they're already having to adjust.
