The New Orleans Saints are hoping to have a big season in 2024. Head coach Dennis Allen is on the hot seat, which puts a lot of pressure on the team to exceed expectations. However, the team has been dealt a couple of challenges today during their final day of mandatory minicamp. The first of which involves Saints running back Alvin Kamara reportedly leaving Saints minicamp early due to a contract dispute.

Mike Triplett of New Orleans Football included Alvin Kamara on a list of players not seen at the Saints' final minicamp practice on Thursday. NFL insider Ian Rapaport responded to that reporting, confirming via Kamara's agent Brad Cicala that his absence is contract related.

NOLA.com's Jeff Duncan also reported seeing Kamara leave the facility in street clothes before today's workout session.

Kamara is entering the second to last year of his current contract. He signed a 5-year, $75 million extension in 2020.

Kamara's specific demands related to his contract are currently unknown, but it is safe to assume that he wants more money — most likely guaranteed money. His extension only featured $22.83 million guaranteed at signing, and there is no more guaranteed money to be earned in the remaining two years.

During Kamara's absence, the Saints will count on veteran Jamaal Williams and second-year rookie Kendre Miller as their top running backs.

In 2023, Alvin Kamara had 180 carries for 694 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He added 75 catches for 466 receiving yards and one touchdown. That equates to 1,160 all-purpose yards at 4.5 yards per touch, which is by the lowest of his career by a wide margin.

Saints tight end Juwan Johnson will have foot surgery, putting his Week 1 status in question

The blows just keep coming for the Saints today. New Orleans also learned today that tight end Juwan Johnson will need surgery following a foot injury.

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Saints tight end Juwan Johnson is scheduled to undergo foot surgery next week. It is believed that it will sideline Johnson for “a while.” The Saints hope that he will be back for the start of the regular season.

Head coach Dennis Allen said “I'm not really sure how it happened” regarding Johnson's foot injury.

This is not the first important injury suffered by a Saints player this offseason. Defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon suffered a torn Achilles at the end of May. Dennis Allen confirmed that Kpassagnon will be out indefinitely, which casts serious doubt on his ability to suit up in 2024.

Thankfully, there may be a Juwan Johnson replacement waiting in the wings. The news of Johnson's injury came just hours after Jimmy Graham said he would be open to returning to New Orleans. Graham is current a free agent, so he is free to approach the team about a return if he so desires.

“I don't have any expectations,” Graham said to ESPN. “I just want to make sure when I retire, it's as a Saint, and it's when they want me to. I'll just make sure I give them a call and see exactly when they want me to retire and then I'll end up doing it.”