Alvin Kamara: Everything you need to know

Kamara (knee) isn't in line to lead the Saints backfield in 2026, as Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Travis Etienne agreed to a four-year, $52 million contract with New Orleans on Monday. Kamara has been the Saints' primary backfield option when healthy for each of the past eight seasons, starting 92 of the 110 regular-season games in which he has appeared during that stretch after making only three starts in 16 games as a rookie in 2017. Etienne has a similar three-down skill set and is almost four years younger than Kamara, who will turn 31 in July. Kamara agreed to a restructured contract with the Saints in March but still could be cut prior to the 2026 season. Even if Kamara remains on the roster and fully recovers from the MCL injury that sidelined him after Week 12 of the 2025 season, he would likely have to settle for a complementary role barring an injury to New Orleans' new lead back.

Kamara (knee) agreed to terms Friday on a restructured contract with the Saints, lowering his cap his for the 2026 season by roughly $8 million, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. The Saints also converted the contracts of Juwan Johnson and Justin Reid, converting part of their base salary into signing bonuses, but Kamara's restructure differs in that it provides New Orleans with flexibility if he isn't on the team. The veteran running back is heading into his age-31 season and missed the final six games of the 2025 campaign due to an MCL injury, but there have been no indications that the issue could impact his level of offseason participation. Whether Kamara departs or remains with the Saints, he will likely settled into a complementary role for the 2026 campaign.

Kamara (knee/ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports. Kamara hasn't practiced since suffering an MCL sprain in late November. He'll now miss a sixth straight game to close out the season, leaving Audric Estime in the lead role after New Orleans lost Kendre Miller (ACL) and Devin Neal (hamstring) to season-ending injuries. Kamara is under contract for one more season, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be back with the Saints in 2026, as only $3 million of his $11.5 million base salary is guaranteed. Kamara will turn 31 in July and has struggled to stay healthy in recent seasons, so he could be looking at a reduced role even if he sticks around in New Orleans.