Saints RB Alvin Kamara penalized three games for his role in the February 2022 incident in Las Vegas.
The NFL suspended New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara for the first three games of the regular season in 2023 on Friday for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, according to NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Chris Lammons, an Indianapolis Colts cornerback, was also suspended for three games for his involvement in the incident, the organization stated on Friday.
The infractions come from Kamara’s February 2022 battery arrest in Las Vegas, which he settled on July 11 by pleading no contest to a misdemeanor charge of breach of peace.
Kamara was ordered to complete 30 hours of community service and pay victim Darrell Greene $105,196.17 in reparation for past-due medical expenses. Kamara was also fined $500. Kamara’s plea avoided a potential felony battery prosecution, which carries a maximum five-year term.
Kamara, 27, is eligible to return for the Saints in Week 4 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He’ll miss games against the Titans, Panthers, and Packers.
Kamara met with Commissioner Roger Goodell in New York this week to discuss the events surrounding the incident.
Kamara addressed the subject publicly for the first time on Friday, stating that he thought the conversation with Goodell went well while also expressing regret and humiliation about what happened in Las Vegas.
“I never want to be involved in anything that causes someone to be hurt, seriously injured, or killed. My judgement was poor. “Definitely a bad decision,” Kamara remarked prior to learning of his suspension. “I was totally mistaken. I embarrassed not just the Saints, but also my family and mother. I disgraced myself, the city, and, of course, the NFL.”
On March 2, Kamara pleaded not guilty to the initial counts of misdemeanor conspiracy to commit battery and felony battery causing significant bodily harm.
Kamara and three others, including Lammons, were charged with allegedly punching and kicking Greene outside a Las Vegas nightclub during the 2022 Pro Bowl weekend. Kamara, who played in the Pro Bowl on February 6, 2022, was arrested after the game, along with the other suspects, and indicted on February 16, this year.
According to the police report, security video supported Greene’s claims to police that he was punched by Lammons and kicked by other persons.
Greene suffered an orbital fracture in his right eye, according to the police report. He initiated a legal action for $10 million, which was resolved confidentially.
Kamara, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year, is entering his eighth NFL season. His career stats include 5,135 rushing yards, 8,888 scrimmage yards, and 72 all-purpose touchdowns.
In Kamara’s absence, the Saints’ RB room is not barren, as free-agent addition Jamaal Williams, who led the NFL with 17 running touchdowns last season, will likely take the main position. In the third round, New Orleans selected Kendre Miller. Eno Benjamin and newcomer Ellis Merriweather might also play bigger roles.
Kamara will miss at least one game for the sixth consecutive season as a result of his ban. Throughout Kamara’s career, New Orleans has gone 3-7 in games without him.
