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Kamara has not yet exhibited symptoms and is feeling fine, sources tell @NOdotFootball
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) January 1, 2021
The New Orleans Saints were missing an important piece of their offense during Friday’s training session: running back Alvin Kamara, who was absent while waiting on results for a COVID-19 test. Kamara previously tested positive before receiving a second test, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. Underhill added that Kamara has not yet exhibited any symptoms of an infection. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero confirmed the news.
This is significant for a number of reasons, though the most important is obviously Kamara’s health and well-being. Any players designated to the league’s COVID-19 reserve list on Friday would miss the following Sunday’s Week 17 games, with doubts raised about their availability for the upcoming Wild Card Round of the playoffs.
If Kamara is confirmed to have tested positive, he would be forced to quarantine for 10 days — meaning the soonest he could return is Sunday, Jan. 10, possibly after the Saints have already finished playing on Saturday (the exact playoff schedule is yet to be decided). They’re already expecting to be without safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, so it’s possible both the offense and the defense go into the playoffs without two of their best players.
For now, Kamara is waiting on the results from a second retest to confirm whether he has contracted the coronavirus. This is a developing story, so check back often for updates.
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