New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is expected to miss at least one month after suffering a sprained MCL, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 31-year-old is playing on a reworked contract that pays him a $6 million base salary this season, down from the original $11.5 million. His deal includes incentives that could bring his total compensation to $8.5 million.

The Saints restructured Kamara's contract in March for salary cap relief, with $3 million already guaranteed last year. Around the same time, the team signed former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year deal averaging over $12 million annually in the first three years.

The running back position has become costly for the Saints, with $21 million in cap space allocated among seven players. Questions about paying both Kamara and Etienne intensified after the signing, especially given Kamara's recent performance — career lows in rushing yards (471), receiving yards (186), and touchdowns (one) last season.

The Saints' backfield is currently shorthanded, as Audric Estime is also out with an injury. Kendre Miller and Devin Neal recently returned to practice after being sidelined since early August.