Saints’ Alvin Kamara Pleads No Contest To Misdemeanor Charge
7:07pm: Greene has also resolved his civil case against defensive back Chris Lammons, NewOrleans.football’s Mike Triplett notes (on Twitter). Lammons, who spent last season with the Chiefs and Bengals, was also indicted for his role in the Greene assault.
2:11pm: Greene’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, revealed his client and Kamara reached a private settlement regarding the civil matter, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com tweets. This also came with a public apology from the veteran running back.
“Please accept my sincere apologies for the events of February 5, 2022 in Las Vegas,” Kamara said (h/t Terrell). “I am happy that we were able to get on the other side of this unfortunate incident. I wish you the best for the future.”
The NFL has not rendered any discipline yet, but that should be expected in the coming weeks. The league said in a statement it is “closely monitoring all developments” pertaining to this case.
1:28pm: The NFL now has a clear path to levy discipline against Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who has loomed as a suspension candidate for nearly 18 months.
Kamara reached a plea agreement Tuesday, according to Kyle Paine and David Charms of 8 News Now, who report the perennial Pro Bowler will avoid a felony charge in connection with a February 2022 incident in Las Vegas (Twitter link). Indicted by a grand jury for his role in an assault on a man at a Las Vegas nightclub, Kamara pleaded no contest to a breach of peace charge.
This agreement will force the Saints running back to perform 30 hours of community service, pay a $500 fine and pay the victim $105K, which will go toward medical bills. Kamara, 27, has long expected to be suspended for the incident that led to Darnell Greene being hospitalized. Kamara, who was one of multiple men involved in the assault during the 2022 Pro Bowl weekend, was also hit with a civil suit last year.
The NFL does not need a conviction on a felony or misdemeanor charge to proceed with a ban under the personal conduct policy, as past developments have confirmed. With the league preferring to wait until cases are adjudicated before handing out punishment, Tuesday’s news sets up the likelihood of a Kamara ban — potentially a six-game penalty — occurring before the 2023 season.
Kamara’s case encountered frequent delays, leaving him free to play throughout last season. The Saints were less prepared for a Kamara ban last year, but the team has made preparations this offseason. New Orleans agreed to terms on a three-year, $12MM deal with Jamaal Williams — last season’s rushing touchdowns leader (16) while with the Lions — and used a third-round pick on TCU back Kendre Miller.
Kamara has been one of the best skill-position players in Saints history; he is tied to the league’s second-most lucrative running back extension ($15MM per year). The seventh-year veteran remains New Orleans’ top back, though he is coming off a bit of a down season — one in which he scored just four touchdowns. The team will undoubtedly make Kamara a key player in a now-Derek Carr-led offense, but the additions of Williams and Miller are certainly interesting. While a suspension will void remaining Kamara guarantees, only $1.1MM in guaranteed money remains on Kamara’s five-year, $75MM contract.
Saints’ Alvin Kamara, Bengals’ Chris Lammons Indicted By Grand Jury
MARCH 2: Kamara entered a not guilty plea on Thursday, as noted (on Twitter) by ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. In a statement, his attorneys said in part, “we are looking forward to trial and a full vindication.” The next court date in this matter has been scheduled for July 31, meaning his and Lammons’ status will remain unclear deep into the NFL offseason. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network tweets, to no surprise, that a guilty verdict would mean Kamara’s league discipline would likely take effect in 2023.
FEBRUARY 16: An incident from last season’s Pro Bowl weekend in Las Vegas was quickly thought to be the reason for legal action and league discipline being taken against Saints running back Alvin Kamara and Bengals cornerback Chris Lammons at some point. Thursday saw an important development in their case. 
A grand jury in Clark County (NV) has indicted the pair, along with two other men, for an alleged beating which took place last February in a Las Vegas nightclub. Specifically, they are facing criminal prosecution on charges of conspiracy to commit battery and battery resulting in substantial bodily harm, as detailed by David Charns of Las Vegas 8 News Now.
Kamara and Lammons, both 27, were involved in a violent altercation which resulted in their arrest and a civil suit being filed by the victim, Darnell Green. The presence of video surveillance showing their respective involvement in the incident led to the expectation that the NFL would take action in line with its personal conduct policy. As such, Kamara was reported to be bracing for a six-game suspension, though the legal process has been marked by delays.
As the offseason wore on, it became increasingly clear that Kamara would be able to at least begin the 2022 season without incident. That was confirmed in late September, and he wound up playing in 15 contests during the campaign. Kamara was mentioned in trade rumors in the build-up to the deadline, despite the assumption around the league that his ban will take effect at the beginning of the 2023 season.
The five-time Pro Bowler led New Orleans with 897 rushing yards this year, adding 490 yards in the passing game. That production was in line with his numbers from the 2021 season, though he scored fewer than half as many touchdowns (four) as he did the previous campaign. Lammons maintained his special teams role in Kansas City throughout the year before being claimed off waivers by the Bengals in January.
“The state has avoided a contested preliminary hearing by indicting Mr. Kamara,” a statement from Kamara’s attorneys reads in part. “He intends to vigorously fight the allegations at trial as he was defending himself and others at the time of the incident.”
Today’s news means the case will move directly to district court. A court date for March 2 has been set, so an update to the league’s evaluation of the matter could come shortly thereafter.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/24/23
Today’s minor transactions:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Claimed off waivers (from Chiefs): CB Chris Lammons
Lammons was a special teams ace for the Chiefs, leading the team in ST snaps and finishing the regular season with seven tackles. He earned his walking papers the other day with the Chiefs preparing to activate at least one of running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire or tight end Jody Fortson. The Bengals swooped in with the claim, but the team won’t get any immediate intel on their AFC Championship opponent. The claim is deferred until February 13, which means the only competitive advantage Cincy got was preventing Lammons from rejoining Kansas City’s practice squad.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/23/23
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Claimed off waivers (from Cowboys): CB Trayvon Mullen
Kansas City Chiefs
- Waived: CB Chris Lammons
New York Jets
- Re-signed: S Will Parks
Mullen was a second-round pick by the Raiders back in 2019. Despite starting 31 of his 37 appearances through his first three seasons in the NFL, he was traded to the Cardinals for a seventh-round pick prior to the 2022 campaign. He got into eight games for Arizona before getting waived, and he caught on with the Cowboys in December. The 25-year-old won’t officially join Baltimore until the day after the Super Bowl (February 13).
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.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/17/22
Today’s minor moves around the NFL:
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: QB Kurt Benkert
Houston Texans
- Waived: RB Scottie Phillips
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: CB Chris Lammons, WR Aaron Parker
- Waived: CB Luq Barcoo
- Waived (injury-designation): WR Matthew Sexton
New England Patriots
- Signed: OL Darryl Williams
New York Giants
- Received two-game suspension: LB Justin Hilliard
Benkert spent the 2021 season with the Packers, after three years with the Falcons. He was signed just over one year ago to provide insurance with the future of Aaron Rodgers in doubt, and Jordan Love as the only other signal-caller on the roster. He made one regular season appearance, but with Rodgers now signed to an extension and Love still under contract for at least two more years, the team is less in need of the 26-year-old this year.
Hilliard’s ban comes as a result of PED usage (Twitter link via Paul Schwartz of the New York Post). The former UDFA tweeted an explanation, stating that he mistakenly took the wrong prescription medication, and that he will not appeal the suspension. The Ohio State alum played in two games with the Giants last season, logging 15 special teams snaps. This news will weaken what was already, as Schwartz notes, his tenuous grip on a 53-man roster spot.
RFA/ERFA Tender Decisions: 3/16/22
Here’s a look at the latest tender decisions from around the NFL:
RFAs
Tendered:
- Bills: OL Ryan Bates
- Broncos: OLB Malik Reed
- Commanders: K Joey Slye
- 49ers: LB Azeez Al-Shaair
- Jets: K Eddy Pineiro, QB Mike White
- Rams: LB Travin Howard
- Saints: DL Shy Tuttle
Non-tendered:
- Bills: DT Justin Zimmer
- Broncos: DL DeShawn Williams
- Chiefs: CB Chris Lammons
- Giants: QB Jake Fromm
- Jets: DE Kyle Phillips, OT Greg Senat
- Raiders: CB Keisean Nixon
- Jaguars: RB Dare Ogunbowale
ERFAs
Tendered:
- Commanders: C Keith Ismael, K Brian Johnson, DE Bunmi Rotimi
AFC Notes: Raiders, Chiefs, Dupree, Weddle
First-round draft pick Alex Leatherwood had an up-and-down rookie season in Las Vegas. After struggling a bit at right tackle, Leatherwood was moved to guard to fill in after injuries to starters Richie Incognito and Denzelle Good. According to Vic Tafur of The Athletic, the Raiders’ former staff intended to move Leatherwood back to his drafted position next season.
The decision is now out of their hands and in the hands of new offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo. With Kolton Miller set at left tackle and Andre James filling in admirably this season with the loss of center Rodney Hudson in a trade to the Cardinals last year, the Raiders have three offensive line spots with which to play around. Bricillo’s placement of Leatherwood will likely depend on how they choose to address those open positions.
Here are a few more notes from around the AFC, starting with another note from the West:
- Adam Teicher of ESPN reported that Chiefs’ reserve cornerback Chris Lammons is facing charges of battery resulting in substantial bodily harm and conspiracy to commit battery in connection with the incident involving Alvin Kamara. The special teamer was a practice squad member for the Saints back in 2018. Lammons didn’t enter a plea, posting bail after turning himself in. He is set to appear in court again on March 8.
- In other legal action, Titans’ linebacker Bud Dupree turned himself in on a misdemeanor assault charge this past Friday stemming from an incident last month in a Nashville Walgreens, according to Natalie Neysa Alund of the Tennessean. Dupree reported for booking, was fingerprinted, had his mugshot taken, and was released. He will return to court for a settlement hearing on April 22.
- Lastly, former NFL safety Eric Weddle, who recently retired from the league for the second time, has taken on the head coaching position at Rancho Bernardo High School near his old home of San Diego. The team announced the hire on their Facebook page earlier today. I know, I know, technically Weddle was most recently an NFC player, but, having spent 12 of his 14 NFL seasons in the AFC, I’m going to count it. Always known as one of the more cerebral players in the NFL, it will be interesting to see if Weddle pursues coaching beyond the high school level at some point in the future.
Minor NFL Transactions: 1/4/22
Today’s minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: RB Antonio Williams
- Waived: WR Austin Proehl
Cleveland Browns
- Waived: QB Kyle Lauletta, OT Alex Taylor
Indianapolis Colts
- Waived: LB Malik Jefferson
Kansas City Chiefs
- Designated for return: CB Chris Lammons, DT Khalen Saunders
New York Giants
- Waived: TE Chris Myarick
New York Jets
- Placed on IR: LT George Fant, DE Bryce Huff
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: DE Cameron Malveaux, LB JaCoby Stevens
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: RB Josh Johnson
- Placed on IR: RB Alex Collins
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/11/21
Here is how teams finalized their Week 14 rosters:
Atlanta Falcons
- Activated from IR: TE Hayden Hurst
- Promoted: RB Qadree Ollison, S Shawn Williams
- Waived: RB Wayne Gallman
Baltimore Ravens
- Promoted: CB Robert Jackson, T David Sharpe
Buffalo Bills
- Activated from IR: G Jon Feliciano
- Promoted: DE Eli Ankou, DT Brandin Bryant, LB Joe Giles-Harris
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from IR: T Cameron Erving
- Promoted: RB Reggie Bonnafon, LB Frankie Luvu, OL Patrick Omameh
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: LB Charles Snowden
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted: LB Austin Calitro, LB Keandre Jones
Cleveland Browns
- Activated from IR: LB Jacob Phillips
- Promoted: DB Herb Miller, DB Jovante Moffatt, WR JoJo Natson
- Waived: WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: TE Ian Bunting, RB JaQuan Hardy, S Darian Thompson
- Waived: DT Justin Hamilton
Denver Broncos
- Activated from IR: LB Micah Kiser, CB Michael Ojemudia
Detroit Lions
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Mark Gilbert, CB Ifeatu Melifonwu
- Promoted: CB Corey Ballentine, LB Curtis Bolton, DE Bruce Hector, CB Parnell Motley, RB Craig Reynolds, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, RB Rodney Smith, TE Shane Zylstra
Houston Texans
- Promoted: DB Grayland Arnold, WR Phillip Dorsett, DL Chris Smith
Kansas City Chiefs
- Promoted: DB Dicaprio Bootle, DB Josh Jackson
- Placed on IR: DB Chris Lammons
Los Angeles Chargers
- Placed on IR: LB Kyler Fackrell
- Promoted: DB Ben DeLuca, LB Emeke Egbule, WR Jason Moore
Miami Dolphins
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Salvon Ahmed
New Orleans Saints
- Activated from IR: DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
- Promoted: G James Carpenter, LB Chase Hansen, WR Kevin White, WR Easop Winston, TE Ethan Wolf
New York Giants
- Promoted: WR Pharoh Cooper, DB Jarren Williams
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: CB Brandin Echols
- Promoted: DE Ronald Blair, TE Dan Brown, WR D.J. Montgomery, WR Vyncint Smith
San Francisco 49ers
- Placed on IR: RB Trenton Cannon, CB Emmanuel Moseley
- Promoted: WR River Cracraft, RB Brian Hill, CB Saivion Smith, S Jarrod Wilson
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted: LB Edmond Robinson
Tennessee Titans
- Activated from IR: S Dane Cruikshank, WR Racey McMath
- Placed on IR: TE Tommy Hudson; this is Hudson’s second IR trip, ending his season
- Promoted: WR Cody Hollister, DL Kevin Strong
- Waived: S Brady Breeze
Washington Football Team
- Placed on reserve/COVID-19 list: CB Darryl Roberts, DE James Smith-Williams
- Placed on IR: G Wes Schweitzer
- Promoted: DE William Bradley-King, LB De’Jon Harris, S Jeremy Reaves, C Jon Toth