The New Orleans Saints are still waiting to see if Alvin Kamara will return this Sunday. Saints head coach Kellen Moore announced Friday, per ESPN's Mike Triplett, that Kamara is questionable for their Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions. The star running back missed last season's final six games with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and suffered another knee injury during an Aug. 18 joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys.
There's still some optimism the veteran can suit up. Kamara was a limited practice participant on Wednesday and Thursday, and NOF insider Nick Underhill shared an encouraging update regarding the 31-year-old. "He's like two weeks ahead of his schedule right now," Underhill said Thursday.
"And I think he's going to play on Sunday based on what we saw today, barring a setback. I think he's in good shape." Kamara exceeded 1,100 scrimmage yards in eight straight seasons before settling for 657 last season. He averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per carry and 5.6 yards per reception and went 10 straight games without a touchdown before exiting a Week 12 loss early.
New Orleans responded by signing Travis Etienne to a four-year, $48 million contract during the offseason. The 27-year-old could assume a featured backfield role after tallying 1,399 yards and 13 touchdowns in his fourth season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the unofficial depth chart lists him and Kamara together with the first team. While Kamara still has a chance to play on Sunday, the Saints ruled out running back Audric Estime due to a thigh injury.
Edge rusher Cam Jordan and Oscar Delp will also miss the NFC matchup, which kicks off at 1 p.m.
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