Kamara after camp absence: 'Never held out in my life'
The New Orleans Saints and Alvin Kamara have yet to agree on an extension, but the star running back says his contract situation would never affect his availability to the team.
"I ain't never held out in my life," Kamara told reporters Monday, including Mike Triplett of ESPN. "I came to the building every day. That's all I've got to say."
Kamara was absent from the Saints training camp without permission for multiple days last week, and reports indicated his absence could have been related to the 25-year-old's contract situation as he enters the last year of a rookie deal.
However, he reportedly was sidelined due to a back issue that required an epidural shot, and Kamara isn't concerned about the ailment moving forward.
"It's something light," said Kamara, who's been participating fully at practice this week. "I kind of dealt with it a little bit last camp too. Just a little flare-up, just a little (sacroiliac) joint flare-up. It just needed some rest, a little injection, but nothing serious."
Several standout running backs have signed lucrative deals with their current teams this offseason, including Christian McCaffrey, Joe Mixon, and Derrick Henry. They're now three of the top six highest-paid players at the position.
Saints head coach Sean Payton didn't set a timetable for when his club and Kamara will ink an extension, but he's "confident" it'll happen eventually.
Kamara quickly became one of the league's most explosive and versatile offensive weapons after being selected in the third round in 2017. The three-time Pro Bowler has racked up 81 receptions and 1,300-plus yards from scrimmage in each of the last three seasons. His 38 total touchdowns rank third in the league over that span.
New Orleans kicks off its 2020 season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 13.