Five-Time Pro Bowl Running Back Returns to Practice for Saints

The New Orleans Saints have had a rough start to the 2022 regular season, but they could have their biggest star back soon enough. Running back Alvin Kamara returned to practice after missing the team's Week 4 loss against the Minnesota Vikings in London, England.

#Saints RB Alvin Kamara was back at practice today.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) October 5, 2022

Kamara was inactive against the Vikings due to a rib injury he sustained in Week 1 that also cost him Week 2. He returned in Week 3 for a game against the Carolina Panthers, but he apparently aggravated the injury.

Even when on the field, Kamara has struggled so far this season. His 50 rushing yards per game are the fewest since his rookie year, and his 1.7 yards per target fall disastrously short of his career average of 6.7. The Saints are 1-3 to begin the season, but they may be better off waiting for Kamara to get fully healthy if he remains similarly unproductive while beat up.

SCOOP AND SCORE

The Panthers take the Alvin Kamara fumble back for the TD
pic.twitter.com/6Ipcf40aqx
— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) September 25, 2022

Kamara has been one of the league's premier all-around backs since joining the Saints as the 67th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. He compiled an impressive 7501 yards from scrimmage and 67 total touchdowns in his first five seasons, earning a Pro Bowl in each year. He has never missed more than four games in a season, but given that he also may be in line for a suspension, 2022 could end up a season to forget for the young star.