The New Orleans Saints made waves during the NFL offseason to upgrade their running back room. Unfortunately for the NFC South team, Travis Etienne Jr.‘s first season in New Orleans is being derailed by injury.
The Saints are 1-2 after their first three games, but their RB situation is in question after the team placed Etienne Jr. on Injured Reserve. The former Jacksonville Jaguars star left New Orleans’ Week 3 loss against the Las Vegas Raiders with a hamstring injury.
This season, quarterback Tyler Shough has put the Saints in position to win several games, including last week’s 35-27 shootout loss against the Raiders. However, Etienne wasn’t exactly lighting it up on the ground prior to his setback.
The 2021 first-round pick has failed to break into the end zone during his first three games and only managed to post 128 yards rushing.
MORE: Seahawks give major update on injured running back amid backfield uncertainty
Saints RB situation reverts back to veteran
New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. (3) runs with the ball while defended by Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes (5) in the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore is now left with veteran Alvin Kamara and fourth-year RB Kendre Miller. Kamara appears in line for a hefty workload given his familiarity with the offense and previous success over his 10-year Saints career.
Kamara’s been a fan-favorite with the NFC South team for a decade since being drafted by the franchise. Surprisingly, the versatile RB has never managed to top 1,000 rushing in a single-season.
Etienne is sidelined for at least four games given his new IR status. That means the Saints are likely without their top back until the team’s November 8 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Luckily for the franchise, Shough and Chris Olave have developed tremendous chemistry in the passing attack. New Orleans is hoping to get 2026 first-round pick Jordyn Tyson onto the field after beginning the season on IR for a hamstring injury of his own.
MORE: 7 NFL teams with best chance to win Super Bowl LXI entering Week 4
Shough is second in NFL passing yards through three games with 917 yards and has thrown eight touchdown passes.
The Saints return to action on Monday, Oct. 5 when Kamara and Co. host the Atlanta Falcons (8:15 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN).
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —