Kamara has added competition for carries this coming season after Saints agreed to sign free agent Jamaal Williams on Wednesday.
What it means:
Kamara's overall production stagnated as he dealt with numerous lingering injuries throughout the 2022 campaign, logging 1,387 total yards on 280 touches across 15 regular-season games. However, he still accounted for the vast majority of the Saints' carries at running back, as the team sorely lacked depth in the backfield and across the offense as a whole. This figures to change following the addition of Williams. The 224-pound bruiser served as the No. 2 back behind Aaron Jones in Green Bay for four seasons. Across 17 regular-season games with Detroit in 2022, Williams finished with 262 carries for 1,066 yards and a franchise-record 17 touchdowns. The 27-year-old Williams should once again fall into a complementary role in New Orleans while playing behind Kamara. The Saints' No. 1 running back is still set to begin trail July 31 after he was charged with conspiracy to commit battery and substantial bodily harm stemming from a February 2022 incident. Therefore, Kamara's availability for the beginning of the 2023 campaign will likely be up in the air until this case concludes.
Kamara has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit battery and substantial bodily harm stemming from a Feb. 2022 incident, Michael Baca of NFL.com reports.
What it means:
The report relays that Kamara's trial is set for July 31, with Patrick Magee of the New Orleans Times-Picayune noting that the timing of the scheduled proceedings could impact the running back's attendance at training camp practice. With regard to Kamara's status for the coming season, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggests that in the event that Kamara is found guilty, discipline from the league would likely come in 2023. In 15 games with the Saints during the 2022 campaign, Kamara carried 223 times for 897 yards and two TDs to go along with 57 catches for 490 yards and a pair of receiving scores.
Kamara posted 23 carries for 107 yards and gathered in one of two targets for three yards during Sunday's 10-7 defeat to Carolina.
What it means:
Kamara closed out his 2022 campaign with his second 100-yard rushing game of the season. He also matched his season high for rushing attempts, and he finished with three games of 20 or more carries over the final four weeks of the regular season. Over 15 contests, Kamara recorded 223 carries for 897 yards and two rushing touchdowns to go along with 57 receptions (on 77 targets) for 490 yards and two receiving touchdowns. While he didn't come close to matching his usual standard as a scorer, the 27-year-old running back still accumulated over 1,300 total yards for the sixth time in as many seasons. Kamara also started the 2022 campaign hampered by a rib injury, though he still handled 280 touches. These are both encouraging signs for his status as one of the top fantasy running backs heading into the 2023 campaign.
Kamara rushed the ball 16 times for 74 yards in Sunday's 20-10 win over the Eagles. He added one reception for seven yards.
What it means:
Despite positive game script, Kamara saw a downtick in involvement as Taysom Hill racked up 14 rushing attempts. Kamara's loss of usage was further underscored by his continued lack of involvement as a receiver, and he has now failed to record more than two receptions in four consecutive games. Positively, Kamara was efficient with his opportunity on the ground by averaging 4.6 yards per carry, highlighted by gains of 15 and 12 yards. All told, he now has at least 80 total yards in three consecutive games.
Kamara (personal/quadriceps) doesn't have a designation for Sunday's game in Philadelphia, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
What it means:
After he didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday due to a combination of a personal matter and a quad issue, Kamara returned to the field Friday and logged a full session. Afterward, coach Dennis Allen relayed to Rod Walker of The Times-Picayune that Kamara "looked good out there today, and he'll be ready to go this weekend." The preceding has come to pass, setting Kamara up to continue leading the Saints backfield Week 17.
Alvin Kamara (quad/personal) will play in Saints' Week 17 matchup versus Eagles
What it means:
According to head coach Dennis Allen, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (quad/personal) will be available for Week 17's contest against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kamara will suit up in Week 17 despite missing two practices with a quad injury and for personal reasons. In a matchup versus a Philly unit allowing 20.6 FanDuel points per game to running backs, our models project Kamara to score 15.9 FanDuel points.
Kamara's projection includes 14.9 rushing attempts for 63.6 yards and 4.8 receptions for 39.4 yards.