New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara will miss at least a month after suffering an MCL sprain during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday. The injury occurred when Kamara ended up under a pile of players during a run play.
The Saints are scheduled to open their regular season on September 13 against the Detroit Lions. If Kamara misses the full month, he will be absent for the season opener.
Travis Etienne, who signed a four-year, $52 million deal this offseason after rushing for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars, is expected to take on the majority of carries in Kamara's absence. The Saints also have veteran backups Ty Chandler and Kendre Miller on their roster.
Kamara, a five-time Pro Bowler, recently agreed to a reworked contract that will pay him $6 million for the current season. His agent previously stated that Kamara's goal, and the team's goal, was for him to remain with the Saints and retire with the franchise.