New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has agreed to plead no contest to a misdemeanour charge of breach of peace stemming from a fight in Las Vegas back in 2022. Initially facing more severe charges, including conspiracy to commit battery and battery with substantial bodily harm, Kamara’s acceptance of the plea deal resulted in the dropping of the felony charges.
Kamara’s attorney, David Chesnoff, confirmed the developments, stating that Kamara will perform 30 hours of community service and pay the alleged victim $105,000 for medical bills. Chesnoff expressed Kamara’s satisfaction with resolving the matter and his anticipation of a successful upcoming NFL season.
The altercation in question occurred on February 6th, 2022, outside a nightclub on the eve of the Pro Bowl in Las Vegas. Kamara, along with three others, were arrested on battery charges for allegedly injuring a man, Darnell Greene Jr. Kamara was taken into custody after participating in the Pro Bowl.
Following various case delays throughout 2022, a grand jury indicted Kamara and the three other men on February 16th, 2023. Kamara also faced a civil lawsuit filed by Greene in Louisiana, in which Greene was requesting damages of $10M. However, Kamara had not been formally served with the lawsuit, and the two parties reached a private settlement on July 10th, 2023, according to Greene’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee.
The plea deal reached by Kamara resulted in the cancellation of his scheduled appearance at a jury trial on July 31st. The NFL, which had been closely monitoring the developments, released a statement acknowledging its ongoing review of the matter. The league’s personal conduct policy prohibits assault/battery and asserts that players found to have engaged in such conduct may face disciplinary action, irrespective of a criminal conviction.
There is still a very good chance that the Saints RB could face a suspension to kick off the 2023 campaign. The soon to be 28 year old is a 5x Pro Bowler and 2x All-Pro. Kamara led the Saints in rushing last season with 897 yards, but only found the end zone 4 times total, which was a career low for the 6 year veteran.
Previously signed to a 5 year/$75M extension, Kamara’s time in New Orleans may be nearing an end. With his contract set to spike up to an $18.8M and $29M AAV in 2024 and 2025 respectively, the Saints are almost assuredly going to use their potential out in 2024 to terminate his deal.
With declining production, and the team’s signing of Jamaal Williams in the offseason, the writing is on the wall at this point for the 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year. And with the running back market currently languishing behind virtually every other skill position, it’s unclear how many suitors Tennessee alum will have once he hits the open market.
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