Saints' Alvin Kamara sides with disgruntled fans after fifth consecutive loss

Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Running back Alvin Kamara sided with disgruntled fans after the Denver Broncos handed his New Orleans Saints a fifth-consecutive loss, saying he also would head for the exits early if he were a spectator.

Kamara commented after the 33-10 setback Thursday in New Orleans. The NFL veteran totaled just 24 yards from scrimmage on 13 touches in the lopsided loss.

"I ain't never been through that," Kamara told reporters, when asked about fans leaving their seats early Thursday at the Caesars Superdome. "Especially at the dome. I've been here eight years and I've never seen the dome clear out like that.

"If I were a fan, I would leave too. I'm just being honest. People are fed up."

Tipped and picked for 6! Barton nabs the INT and takes it to the for the @Broncos #DENvsNO on Prime Video Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/TsAlV2lxuH — NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2024

The Saints (2-5) went 9-8 last season, posting a winning record for the sixth time in seven years. They started their 2024 campaign with convincing victories over the Carolina Panthers (47-10) and Dallas Cowboys (44-19), but then lost to the Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Broncos.

Injuries infected the Saints' lineup, impacting their offense and defense over the last two months.

The Saints lost starting quarterback Derek Carr to an oblique injury in Week 5. Wide receiver Chris Olave was out Thursday because of a concussion.

Fellow Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed underwent knee surgery Thursday and landed on season-ending injured reserve. The Saints also are playing without three starting offensive linemen.

The Saints defense allowed the most yards and seventh-most points per game in the NFL so far this season. They were out-gained 389-271 in total yards in Thursday's loss, including a 225-97 deficit in rushing yards.

They had a Top-10 defense from 2020 through 2022 and were inside the Top 5 at stopping the run in two of those years, but have surrendered the fifth-most rushing yards through seven games of this season. They also have allowed the fifth-most passing yards.

"We're not winning the line of scrimmage on either side of the ball," Saints coach Dennis Allen said. "I think that's a challenge for us right now.

"We've got a few days before we have to play again. We'll go out to Los Angeles next week and we've gotta find a way to put our guys in the best position to have some success.

"We're going to find a way to play better football. It's been disappointing. Injuries play a part in it, but we've gotta find a way to play better."

LIVE: Saints Week 7 Postgame Show. https://t.co/kqcwcDXm3p — New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 18, 2024

In addition to their depressing statistical data, Saints starting cornerbacks Paulson Adebo and Marshon Lattimore were injured Thursday. Adebo broke the femur in his right leg, while Lattimore sustained a hamstring injury.

Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler, who is playing amid Carr's hiatus, sustained a hip injury and left Thursday's game early. Allen said he was removed as a precaution. Jake Haener replaced Rattler. Allen said he will evaluate Saints' quarterback play before Week 8.

Kamara mentioned everyone being "on the hot seat" because of the Saints' struggles, but Allen said he is not concerned about losing his job.

The 52-year-old, who has a strong background as a defensive coordinator and assistant, has an 18-23 record since he took over as Saints coach in 2022.

"We have to play better," Allen said. "I think guys are trying. Guys are working. We are dealing with a lot of injuries right now. That's not an excuse. I don't want anybody to misconstrue that as an excuse, but it is an issue for us. I think all of us are trying to fight through that."

The Saints, who are projected to have the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, will face the Los Angeles Chargers (3-2) on Oct. 27 in Inglewood, Calif.