Mark Ingram will miss the first four games of the season, but that doesn't mean the New Orleans Saints will lean more heavily on Alvin Kamara.

"The mistake would be that Alvin gets 15 more carries and that's not the direction we would expect to go," Sean Payton said. "I don't think that is wise."

New Orleans running backs coach Joel Thomas echoed Payton on the dangers of projecting more carries for Kamara.

"I think it would be a disservice to him," Thomas said. "Let's be honest here -- he's excelled with the ratio he's had, whether it's the carries or the combination with the catches, as well."

Mark Ingram is looking for a pay raise despite the fact that he has been suspended four games for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.

Ingram reportedly wants a new contract and will not participate in the New Orleans Saints' voluntary offseason work.

Ian Rapoport also reports that the Saints may have discussed a possible trade.

Ingram has one more year on his contract, with a base salary of $4 million.

Mark Ingram has received a four-game suspension from the NFL for a violation of the league's PED policy.

Ingram led the Saints with 230 carries for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns. He added 58 catches for 416 yards.

Ingram split time last season with Alvin Kamara.

The New Orleans Saints have released Coby Fleener two years into a five-year, $36 million contract.

Fleener caught only 22 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games last year before finishing the season on injured reserve with a concussion. 

It's unclear why New Orleans waited until May 7 to release Fleener, but it's possible that they were waiting for some sort of medical clearance. 

Fleener was released Monday with a "failed physical" designation.

The Saints designated Fleener as a post-June 1 release, a move which will save the team about $2.5 million against this year's salary cap, with another $3.2 million in "dead money" counting against their cap next year.

The New Orleans Saints have signed J.T. Barrett to a three-year contract, according to a source.

Barrett joins a quarterback group that includes Drew Brees, Tom Savage and Taysom Hill.

The Saints are looking for a backup to Brees after Chase Daniel left in free agency.