One player who has not been around during the start of the New Orleans Saints’ voluntary OTAs is running back Mark Ingram, who is not expected to participate next week either.
However, head coach Sean Payton expects Ingram, whom he has kept in touch with, to attend when mandatory practices begin.
“He won’t miss the mandatory minicamp,” Payton said, per Herbie Teope of NFL.com. “He’s indicated he’ll be here for that.”
The team’s mandatory minicamp takes place June 12-14. Ingram is facing a four-game suspension that will keep him off the field until Week 5 of the regular season. Until Ingram returns, running back Alvin Kamara will receive an increased workload.
Ingram’s suspension comes at an awful time, as 2018 marks the final year of his contract. When he returns, 28-year-old running back will look to build on last season’s success that saw him record 1,540 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns. Though, he may be challenged if Kamara is already thriving as the lead back.