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Saints running back Alvin Kamara continues to face felony battery charges, arising from a Pro Bowl-weekend incident in Las Vegas. Kamara continues to be eligible to practice and play.
“There’s no change to his status,” an NFL spokesperson told PFT via email on Wednesday. “We continue to monitor all legal developments in the matter which remains under review of the Personal Conduct Policy.”
An August 1 hearing in the matter resulted in a 60-day delay. The chances of the case being resolved by the end of the 2022 season are currently slim, barring a plea deal. Even then, the league would need to have time to investigate the case, to conduct a hearing before Judge Sue L. Robinson, and to process any appeal.
PFT has previously reported that Kamara is bracing for a suspension of six weeks, eventually. That’s the baseline punishment for cases of felony battery.
The fact that Kamara faces a felony also allows the league to put him on paid leave. The policy, however, says that the league “may” do it, not “shall.” That gives the league leeway not to place Kamara on paid leave.
While the league can change its position at any time, there is currently no indication that, once Week One rolls around, Kamara will be placed on the Commissioner Exempt list. And unless he takes a plea fairly soon, the most likely outcome would be a suspension in 2023, at the earliest.