The New Orleans Saints may have to start the season without a familiar face.
Running back Alvin Kamara is reportedly expected to be sidelined for at least the next month due to a sprained MCL, per ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
While it's unclear how exactly the injury occurred, it did happen in a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, leading to the 31-year-old leaving early.
According to Saints beat reporter Nick Underhill, Kamara "didn't tear anything."
The setback puts a damper on Kamara's bid to bounce back from a challenging 2025 season. The five-time Pro Bowler posted career-lows in rushing (471) and receiving (186) yards, and games played (11), due to lingering knee and ankle injuries.
His dwindling production was part of a Saints' run game that ranked bottom five in rushing yards and touchdowns, prompting the signing of running back Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency.
Kamara was expected to back up Etienne throughout the upcoming season.
The former third-round pick in 2017 and offensive rookie of the year has spent all nine of his NFL years in New Orleans, racking up 7,250 rushing yards and 61 rushing touchdowns. He's also chipped in 4,948 yards through the air with 25 receiving touchdowns.
Kamara leads the Saints franchise in rushing yards and touchdowns and ranks fifth in receiving yards.
Should Kamara miss at least a full month as reported, he'd be sidelined through New Orleans' two remaining pre-season games and potentially its season-opener in Detroit against the Lions on Sept. 13.
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