Saints' RB plans a complete dumpster fire after Alvin Kamara update

Over the past few days at training camp, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been missing.

Earlier in the offseason, one might have guessed an absence to mean Kamara wants a new contract. Even though he's set to be paid a nice chunk of change this coming season and is in the middle of a 5-year, $75 million deal, the 29-year-old believes he's worth more.

However, his recent absences don't appear to have anything to do with contract concerns. Rather, Kamara is dealing with a back issue, according to head coach Dennis Allen.

Even if Kamara was healthy, he has started to show signs of being on the back end of his career. Two out of the last three seasons, Kamara has averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry. And, he has yet to play a full season since his rookie year.

Whether it be injuries, deteriorating production or off-field concerns with Kamara, his time in New Orleans may be coming to an end sooner than he'd like.

Even beyond Alvin Kamara, the Saints have zero answer at running back

We've established the fact that Kamara is past his prime and, for some reason, still believes he's worth more money. The Saints cannot, should not and likely won't pay him any more than they already are. In fact, dare I say the team should even consider releasing him and eating the $18 million in dead cap.

What's a little more money wasted at this stage in the game?

This conversation could go a completely different direction with how the organization has set itself up for failure, financially, but we'll save that for another day.

Looking past Kamara on the depth chart, it's a mess. Fans love Jamaal Williams the person. He is a likable character and does a phenomenal job with the media and fans. But, Williams is cooked. Williams the player is, as they say, done.

He led the league in rushing touchdowns back in Detroit, two seasons ago, but that was more a product of the veteran being involved in a strong offense and taking all of the red zone and goal line work. Look at his career, and Williams has averaged under 4.0 yards per carry in four out of seven seasons.

He's beyond done.

Then, there's Kendre Miller, whom the team had a lot of hope in at one point. The 2023 third-round pick underwhelmed as a rookie and struggled to stay healthy.

Fast forward to his second season, and it's the same story. Miller has been trying to work his way back from a hamstring injury for a few weeks now, and there is no reason to believe he'll be 100 percent healthy -- and stay healthy -- the rest of the season, once he's back.

The Saints have Jordan Mims, an undrafted player out of Fresno St. in 2023, who has zero career carries. They've got James Robinson -- speaking of "past their prime years." And then, they've got another undrafted running back, Jacob Kibodi, out of Louisiana, who has yet to make an imprint.

In short, the Saints are, indeed, a dumpster fire when it comes to their back field. The team needs help, and badly.

Will New Orleans try and look at other teams' roster cuts to try and add another back? Could they opt for a trade before that date? Hopefully, the Saints make a move or someone gets healthy, and quickly.