All Saints on hand as mini-camp gets under way

METAIRIE – The New Orleans Saints began their three-day mandatory mini-camp on Tuesday with the entire roster on hand.

This is the last work the team will have before breaking until the start of training camp in late July. Several veterans – including running back Alvin Kamara, linebacker Demario Davis and defensive backs Marshon Lattimore and C.J. Gardner-Johnson – arrived after skipping voluntary OTAs the last three weeks.

“It’s big having everyone here,” head coach Dennis Allen said.

Several players who are rehabbing did not participate but were present at the facility, according to Allen.

Wide receiver Michael Thomas watched from the sideline after staying out of sight while rehabbing at the facility during OTAs. Allen has said Thomas, who missed all of last season because of ankle surgery, is expected to be ready to practice at the start of training camp.

Allen said defensive end Marcus Davenport isn’t practicing because of shoulder and finger injuries and “the goal” is to have him ready for training camp.

Kicker Wil Lutz said he’s 100 percent after missing all of last season because of multiple surgeries to fix a sports hernia injury.

Kamara faces a court date August 1 in Las Vegas as a result of his role in an altercation at a hotel there in February.

“I think he’s in a good mindset,” Allen said of Kamara, who was not in the locker room during the time it was open to reporters. “I don’t sense a huge difference in what I’ve seen from him for the last several years. I think he’s in a good spot.”

Allen said he has thought about the possibility of Kamara being absent for part of the season if the NFL disciplines him.

“We’ll have a plan if anything comes up,” Allen said, “but right now we’re just practicing football and trying to get ready for the season.”

Quarterback Jameis Winston described Kamara’s practice by saying the running back “is always ready, locked and loaded.”

Winston, who’s working his way back from reconstructive knee surgery, has been practicing since the start of OTAs, though he still has some limitations.

“I’m getting better every day,” Winston said, “but I’m ready to take off the leash.”

A handful of players are participating in the camp on a tryout basis – offensive lineman Senio Kelemete, running back David Johnson, linebacker Joe Schobert and kicker Alex Quevedo.

“We’re just trying to bring in guys that we want to take a look at that we think potentially could help us at some point,” Allen said.

Kelemete played with the Saints from 2014-17. Johnson has rushed for more than 4,000 yards in seven seasons, including 1,239 in 2016, but he had just 228 with Houston last season.

“David Johnson has been a good player in our league,” Allen said, “and we thought he was a guy that we wanted to at least get a look at.”

Schobert is a six-year veteran who started 15 games with Pittsburgh last season and Quevedo is an undrafted free agent from Central Oklahoma.