The New Orleans Saints previously placed running back Audric Estime on injured reserve with a thigh injury.

Now, he’s being released.

The Saints waived Estime with an injury settlement Tuesday, parting ways with the 23-year-old who impressed in training camp.

Estime, a 2024 fifth-round pick, made the New Orleans’ initial 53-man roster this year after appearing in seven games for the Saints last season. He joined the team last October after stints with the Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos, rushing for 198 yards on 46 carries. 

Despite making the roster, Estime suffered a few minor injuries in the preseason. He injured his ankle in the team’s Aug. 15 preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars and then hurt his thigh in the team’s Aug. 29 preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys. The latter ailment led the Saints to place Estime on injured reserve on Sept. 12, a day before New Orleans’ season opener in Detroit. 

With Estime waived with an injury settlement, he won’t be eligible to return to the Saints until however long he and the Saints agreed that his injury would take to heal, plus an additional four weeks after that. A team can also claim him off waivers and if he goes unclaimed, he’s free immediately to sign elsewhere. 

The Saints had previously made a similar move with second-year running back Devin Neal. 

Estime’s release also reflects how crowded the Saints’ running back room has been at the start of the season. The Saints have relied on Travis Etienne, Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and undrafted rookie C.J. Donaldson to start the season — with Miller declared inactive in Sunday’s win over the Baltimore Ravens in part because of Kamara’s return from a knee injury.Â