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Katherine Terrell, ESPN writer
METAIRIE, La. — Corridor Alvin Camara was absent from New Orleans Saints‘ Final practice of the mandatory minicamp on Thursday. Kamara’s agent, Brad Cicala, told NFL Network that Kamara’s absence was related to the contract.
Kamara was at the facility Thursday for the Saints’ tour, but left just before the Saints opened practice to the media that same morning.
“He was here for the walk-through this morning and then we came in, and I haven’t had a chance to talk to him, so I’m not sure why he wasn’t there,” Saints coach Dennis Allen said. .
Kamara has two years left on the five-year, $77 million contract he signed in September 2020. Kamara missed five practices in late August 2020 before signing the new contract that year, but maintained that he was never in line for a new agreement. .
Kamara is one of the last remaining contracts the Saints haven’t touched this year after restructuring the quarterback. Taysom HillThe deal from earlier in the week. Kamara’s 2024 cap hit of $18.55 million is the highest on the team, and he has no guaranteed money left on his contract in 2025.
Kamara did not attend OTAs this year, which has been his routine for the past few offseasons. He returned for the first two practices of mandatory minicamp and said Tuesday after practice that he’s been doing the same things he’s done in previous years.
“I have access to everything (practice video),” Kamara said Tuesday after practice. “It’s not like I’m not in the building and nothing’s going on. I talk to these guys and some of my teammates. I talk to some of the coaches, I don’t know, I think it’s like a weird little narrative, I don’t know.” HE”.
He added: “I understand what the word has been, do something different and have everyone be here. For me, it was just, I just stuck to what I know. I don’t think any of my teammates really took offense to it. Like I said. .I talk to a lot of these guys every other day. It’s like ‘Oh, there’s different things’ and this and that last year It’s not something that’s bothering me… The most stressful thing for me right now is my tire. left rear has low pressure. Everything else, I feel good. I’m doing what I’ve always done.
Allen did not confirm whether Kamara’s absence was related to his contract or if it would be considered an unexcused absence.
“I have no idea. I haven’t talked to Alvin, so that’s all I have for you,” Allen said.
If Kamara’s absence is considered an unexcused departure, the team could fine him up to $16,953. Allen said his expectation would be for Kamara to be at training camp as normal, but he repeated that he hasn’t spoken to Kamara about him not being there, so he doesn’t know anything for sure.
“I’m not really going to get into any of that. At the end of the day, I said what happened and I haven’t had a chance to talk to him, so I think it would be unfair to make any statements.” right now,” Allen said.