METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Saints running back Alvin Kamara returned to practice this week for the first time since injuring his knee during practice on Aug. 18, but is listed as questionable for Sunday’s season opener against the Detroit Lions.
Coach Kellen Moore ruled out veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan (hamstring) for Sunday’s game at Ford Field. The noon game can be seen on Fox 8. Coverage starts at 10 a.m. with the Fox 8 Live Tailgate.
While Kamara’s chances of playing this weekend remain unclear after he was limited in practice, his presence on the field raised the prospect of the 10-year veteran returning soon.
“Good to get him back out there,” Moore said. “He did some good things. Any time you’re going through injury stuff, you’ve got see how things respond and then we’ll see.”
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Kamara is not projected to be New Orleans’ primary running back this season, but said he was OK with that when he agreed to take a pay cut to remain with the club for his final season under contract.
When free agency began in March, the Saints signed former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne to a four-year, $48 million contract, effectively designating him the starter.
When Kamara agreed to return, the Saints spoke of the importance of having a rotation of two proven, versatile running backs who also can contribute as receivers out of the backfield.
Quarterback Tyler Shough called Kamara’s presence at practice a “huge” development.
“He shows up to practice today and I’m like, ‘Looks like nothing’s happened. He hasn’t missed a step,’” Shough said. “It’s going to be big for us, just because it brings so much variety to our offense. It brings so many different elements. So, having him and Trav back there, it’s really dangerous.”
Jordan’s timeline is unclear. He has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since early August. But the Saints elected not to put him on injured reserve, meaning “there’s potential,” Moore said, that the 37-year-old defensive end could return by Week 4.
Jordan is “going to do everything possible to play” soon, Moore said. “He’s progressing well. He’s done a really good job during this recovery process and we’ll just take it week by week.”
Also already ruled out for Sunday’s game are rookie tight end Oscar Delp (hamstring) and backup running back Audric Estime (thigh).
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