Saints Alvin Kamara Pleads No Contest In Las Vegas To Lesser Charge

After over a year, Alvin Kamara's court proceedings have finally come to an end, open the path for NFL discipline.

The ongoing legal case around New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has finally come to an end on Tuesday afternoon. Kamara pleaded no contest to a lesser misdemeanor charge connected to his February 22 arrest in Las Vegas, per David Charms and Kyle Paine of 8 News Now. This means that the legal proceedings are finally done, resulting in Kamara not receiving harsher punishments as a result of the more serious he was previously facing: conspiracy to commit battery and battery resulting in substantial bodily harm.

#BREAKING: New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara agrees to plead no content to misdemeanor charge of breach of peace for Las Vegas nightclub beating. He will have to do community service and pay $100K to victim for medical bills, per @kyleJpaine. https://t.co/amO1tjFexR

— David Charns (@davidcharns) July 11, 2023

Though this criminal case in Las Vegas has reached a public conclusion, his civil case  in New Orleans was settled in a different fashion.

While the legal process has yielded a lighter punishment due to the plea, his NFL punishment may not come lightly. The NFL's Code of Conduct policy specifically states that a minimum six game suspension will be handed out to any player connected to violent (among other) crimes that lead to felony chargers.

With regard to violations of the Personal Conduct Policy that involve: (i) criminal assault or battery (felony); (ii) domestic violence, dating violence, child abuse and other forms of family violence; or (iii) sexual assault involving physical force or committed against someone incapable of giving consent, a first  7 PCP – LPP 2018 offense will subject the offender to a baseline suspension without pay of six games, with consideration given to any aggravating or mitigating factors. The presence of possible aggravating factors may warrant a longer suspension. 

However, with Kamara's charges dropped to a misdemeanor he may now have the chance to see fewer games missed. What seems unlikely though, is the notion of no punishment at all. There have been several instances in which dropped or lessened charges have still led to NFL discipline.

We should know in a few weeks what is next for the Saints star running back. But this certainly a step in the right direction in terms of overall and possibly severe impact on his life. Now, the NFL must do their own investigation and decide what their ruling will be.

The Saints are in good hands if Kamara is subject to a multi-game suspension, which should be reasonably expected for now. They signed the 2022 rushing touchdowns leader Jamaal Williams in free agency this offseason and also drafted former TCU running back Kendre Miller in the third round of the NFL Draft. Both backs, along with an additional supporting cast should be able to contribute effectively in his stead.