Saints' Alvin Kamara, Bengals' Chris Lammons indicted for alleged 2002 beating

An incident from last season’s Pro Bowl weekend in Las Vegas was quickly thought to be the reason for legal action and league discipline being taken against Saints running back Alvin Kamara and Bengals cornerback Chris Lammons at some point. Thursday saw an important development in their case.

A grand jury in Clark County (Nevada) has indicted the pair, along with two other men, for an alleged beating that took place last February in a Las Vegas nightclub. Specifically, they are facing criminal prosecution on charges of conspiracy to commit battery and battery resulting in substantial bodily harm, as detailed by David Charns of Las Vegas 8 News Now.

Kamara and Lammons, both 27, were allegedly involved in a violent altercation that resulted in their arrest and a civil suit being filed by the victim, Darnell Green. The presence of video surveillance showing their respective involvement in the incident led to the expectation that the NFL would take action in line with its personal conduct policy. As such, it was reported that Kamara was bracing for a six-game suspension, but the legal process has been marked by delays.

As the offseason wore on, it became increasingly clear that Kamara would be able to at least begin the 2022 season without incident. That was confirmed in late September, and he wound up playing in 15 contests during the campaign. Kamara was mentioned in trade rumors in the build-up to the deadline, despite the assumption around the league that his ban will take effect at the beginning of the 2023 season.

The five-time Pro Bowler led New Orleans with 897 rushing yards this year, adding 490 yards in the passing game. That production was in line with his numbers from the 2021 season, but he scored fewer than half as many touchdowns (four) as he did the previous campaign. Lammons maintained his special teams role in Kansas City throughout the year before being claimed off waivers by the Bengals in January.

“The state has avoided a contested preliminary hearing by indicting Mr. Kamara,” a statement from Kamara’s attorneys reads in part. “He intends to vigorously fight the allegations at trial as he was defending himself and others at the time of the incident.”

Thursday's news means the case will move directly to district court. A court date for March 2 has been set, so an update to the league’s evaluation of the matter could come shortly thereafter.