Kamara did not participate in New Orleans' final practice of mandatory minicamp Thursday, though he was present at team facilities, Jeff Duncan of The Athletic reports. Kamara's absence Thursday appears to be contract related, as he currently has two years remaining on his deal with the Saints. Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that while Kamara is seeking an extension with the team, not much progress has been made. The veteran running back has surpassed 1,000 yards from scrimmage in seven consecutive seasons, and his versatility remains instrumental to this offense. However, as he heads into his age-29 season, New Orleans could hesitate to re-up on a long-term commitment. Any time missed by Kamara this offseason will open reps up for 2023 third-round pick Kendre Miller as well as incumbent backup Jamaal Williams.
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Kamara did not participate in New Orleans' final practice of mandatory minicamp Thursday, though he was present at team facilities, Jeff Duncan of The Athletic reports. Kamara's absence Thursday appears to be contract related, as he currently has two years remaining on his deal with the Saints. Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that while Kamara is seeking an extension with the team, not much progress has been made. The veteran running back has surpassed 1,000 yards from scrimmage in seven consecutive seasons, and his versatility remains instrumental to this offense. However, as he heads into his age-29 season, New Orleans could hesitate to re-up on a long-term commitment. Any time missed by Kamara this offseason will open reps up for 2023 third-round pick Kendre Miller as well as incumbent backup Jamaal Williams.
Kamara (ankle) participated in the initial practice of the Saints' mandatory minicamp Tuesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports. Kamara wasn't present for most of the team's offseason program, but his presence this week indicates he's healthy after missing Week 18 of last season due to an ankle injury. While he managed to surpass 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the seventh consecutive campaign in 2023, his 1,160 yards marked the lowest total of his career, partly due to missing the first three games of the campaign due to a suspension. He'll again have to contend with Jamaal Williams and even Taysom Hill for short-yardage and goal-line work, but Kamara doesn't have much competition for reps otherwise. He's poised for a busy role in New Orleans' new-look scheme under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
Kamara (ankle) is in a strong position to maintain his role in New Orleans' offense after the team did not pick a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, instead signing Jacob Kibodi as an undrafted free agent. The Saints added two running backs by this point of last offseason, bringing in veteran free agent Jamaal Williams and third-round pick Kendre Miller for depth behind Kamara. The latter running back still shouldered the majority of work out of the backfield with 180 carries for 694 yards and five touchdowns. He also played a significant role in the passing game with 75 receptions for 466 yards. This versatility speaks to Kamara's importance in what was an extremely limited offense. Williams unsurprisingly played much more sparingly as a short-yardage back, and he should function in a similar role in 2024. Taysom Hill has always been used as a Swiss Army Knife who, at times, operates as a rushing quarterback out of the shotgun. However, Hill's usage has never threatened Kamara's production in the past. Instead, his biggest obstacles to seeing another heavy workload in 2024 would be whether or not Miller starts to see more opportunities or if Kamara continues to struggle with injuries, as he did miss the 2023 season finale with a sprained ankle. The Saints added offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga with the 14th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which could help keep defenders off of Kamara while improving the team's ground game as a whole.
Kamara led the Saints in rushing yards as usual and also had some solid contributions in the passing game with the Saints down Michael Thomas (IR-knee) to open the game and then losing both Chris Olave (concussion) and Rashid Shaheed (thigh) during the contest. Kamara's rushing yardage total was his second highest of the campaign, and Sunday also marked his first time recording double-digit carries since Week 8. With a Week 13 home matchup against the high-powered Lions on tap, Kamara could play an even more pivotal role than usual if New Orleans' receiving corps is as depleted as it was at game's end Sunday.
Kamara led the team in carries and was efficient with his limited volume on the ground. However, the Saints were chasing points the entire game, tilting a bulk of his work toward the air. Kamara didn't deliver splash gains, but he did manage at least 75 total yards from scrimmage for the sixth time in his first seven games of the campaign.
Kamara's inability to find running room against Chicago's stout run defense wasn't too surprising, but his modest receiving production was disappointing considering the Bears came into this game having allowed the most receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in the league to running backs. While Kamara finished just two receiving yards shy of Chris Olave's team-leading total, the running back tied his second-lowest target total of the season, and Kamara's 70 scrimmage yards marked his lowest total in six appearances. He should remain involved as both a rusher and a pass catcher in Week 10 against the Vikings on the road.
Kamara scored multiple touchdowns for the first time in 2023 during this season-best performance for the Saints' offense. While the 28-year-old didn't play nearly as big of a role in the passing game, he still logged a touchdown both on the ground and through the air for the eighth time in his seven-year career. Meanwhile, backup running backs Jamaal Williams and Kendre Miller combined for 40 yards on nine carries. Kamara also totaled over 100 yards for the third game in a row, and his heavy workload in this offense has continued to make him a consistent RB1 for fantasy. He should expect to see 20-plus touches versus Chicago on Sunday, Nov. 5.
Kamara missed the Saints' first Week 8 practice Wednesday after falling ill, but his presence on the field a day later bodes well for his chances of being available Sunday in Indianapolis. The Saints' second injury report of the week will be released later Thursday and will reveal whether Kamara was a full or limited participant in his return to practice.
In a Saints offense that has yet to find its footing under quarterback Derek Carr, Kamara has been a constant in his four appearances to date, racking up 104 touches for 438 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD. While Kamara is dealing with an illness at the moment, it at least is making its presence felt in the middle of the practice week and not immediately before a game. In any case, Kamara's status will be something to monitor as the weekend approaches to get a sense of his potential to play (or not) Sunday at Indianapolis.