Why Alvin Kamara Joined Saints' OTAs Amid Future Uncertainty

(KMDL-FM) It was not as emotional as a soldier coming home, but for Saints fans, the fact that star running back Alvin Kamara was in the building in New Orleans on Tuesday was the kind of pleasant surprise fans of the Black and Gold are not used to receiving.

If you have been following the Saints since the end of last season, you'll know that Alvin Kamara's status with the team has been "questionable". Is it fair to say questionable? Okay, there are questions as to what Kamara's future in New Orleans looks like.

How Popular is Alvin Kamara Among Saints Fans?

Granted, Alvin Kamara may be one of, if not the most popular, New Orleans Saints player on the team's roster. Kamara plays hard, practices hard, lives the New Orleans life, and has embraced fans with his accessibility and very humble personality. He is also a beast with a football in his hands; Saints fans really like that about him.

For Saints Coaches and staff, it was a bit of a shock to see Kamara at the Saints facility on Tuesday for voluntary Organized Team Activities, that's what OTA stands for in case you weren't clear. Kamara doesn't usually attend those, preferring to do his workouts at another location, but he was quoted in a story published by the Louisiana Radio Network as saying that his teammates asked him to be there.

I’m under contract. I still got my locker. That’s really why I came. My locker’s still here. My fingerprint still works at the door. I guess I’m here, right, that’s what that means. Yeah, man, I’m good.

Another reason there has been speculation about Kamara's future with the team is the addition of veteran running back Travis Etienne. Etienne has Louisiana ties as well. He was a standout at Jennings High School and played college ball at Clemson.

The team has spent quite a bit of money getting the "running back room" back in shape. Having Kamara as an option would probably be a good thing for Head Coach Kellen Moore to have at his disposal come this fall.

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Alvin Kamara Reveals Thoughts on Travis Etienne Joining New Orleans Saints

As far as Kamara's view of Etienne, his quote from the Louisiana Radio Network story sums it up nicely.

I don’t feel any pressure or any type of like animosity for a dude coming in, getting paid, and people being excited. He’s a good player- s—- I’m excited for him, and I’m excited for me because it helps me. Because I’ve been there before. I know

The New Orleans Saints are scheduled to report for training camp on July 28. The first official practice for the team has been set for July 29th. The team will hold training camp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, Louisiana.

The team is expected to once again offer fans a glimpse of the team in camp by holding public practices and workouts. For details on those, check out the Saints' official website.