Alvin Kamara’s Battery Case Delayed Again

Alvin Kamara and Chris Lammons‘ alleged battery of a man in Las Vegas has put both players on the suspension radar, but any prospective ban might not happen until next season. The already-delayed case brought another postponement Thursday.

Lawyers for Kamara and Lammons were in court today, but David Charns of Las Vegas 8 News Now tweets the proceedings have been pushed to Nov. 9. Although a plea agreement may be in play, per NewOrleans.football’s Mike Triplett (on Twitter), the latest delay increases Kamara’s chances of playing out the 2022 season.

This is related to the Pro Bowl-weekend incident that had Kamara and Lammons, currently with the Chiefs, at the scene of a fight at a Vegas casino. Lammons and Kamara, who has since been slapped with a civil lawsuit as well, were each charged with battery resulting in substantial bodily harm and conspiracy to commit battery. The Saints running back has been bracing for a six-game ban for months.

Kamara, 27, said he threw punches thinking the victim was running away and that he could not remember if he punched Darnell Greene while he was on the ground. Video surveillance showed Kamara punching Greene approximately eight times and also revealed other members of Kamara’s group stomping on the victim, who was knocked unconscious and sustained an orbital bone fracture. Lammons currently resides as a Chiefs backup cornerback.

This year’s Saints have Mark Ingram as Kamara’s top backup. With Ingram in his age-33 season, that might not be the case in 2023. Ingram’s contract expires at season’s end. Latavius Murray, 32, also rejoined the Saints on a practice squad deal, doing so ahead of a Week 2 game Kamara missed due to injury. Should a Kamara suspension surface this year, the two 30-somethings would likely be asked to carry the load. If Kamara’s ban commences next year, it should be expected the Saints will have a younger Kamara backup prepared to play a role. Third-year UDFA Tony Jones and veteran special-teamer Dwayne Washington are also on New Orleans’ roster.