New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara wants a new contract. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Payton expects Alvin Kamara to play for Saints in Week 1

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 9/2/20

It appears Alvin Kamara's alleged brief holdout won't last into the regular season.

One day after NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that the New Orleans Saints were open to trading the 25-year-old running back set to enter the last season of his rookie contract, Kamara returned to practice sessions following a few unexcused absences.

Per ESPN's Field Yates, New Orleans coach Sean Payton told reporters on Wednesday afternoon that the club is negotiating with Kamara and expects to have the dynamic offensive weapon in the lineup when the Saints face Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 13.

Sean Payton on Alvin Kamara: "We're actively negotiating a contract with he and his agent. We'll keep you posted if there's any progress."

He later added: "We're focused on him being a part of our plan for Week 1."
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 2, 2020

As noted by Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports, Kamara is fifth in scrimmage yards (4,476) and second in all-purpose yards (5,061) since he entered the league and won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2017. While there were concerns Kamara could be a salary-cap casualty for New Orleans, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler has hinted that's not the case.

Saints and Alvin Kamara are not far apart in negotiations, per source, as Kamara has not asked for Christian McCaffrey money. Saints were open to trading Kamara for a 1 in light of absence but things calmed down, sides continue talking.

Four teams inquired about Kamara today.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 2, 2020