Feb. 20, 2026, 4:55 a.m. CT

The backfield for the New Orleans Saints was largely ineffective in 2025, their first year under new head coach Kellen Moore. Alvin Kamara had the worst season of his productive career before being lost to injury after 11 games. Taysom Hill never looked like himself all season. A bad interior offensive line contributed to the poor running game, but injuries to the backs were also a huge factor in the performance.

Kendre Miller was lost (again) to a season-ending injury. Rookie Devin Neal looked solid when given his opportunity, but he too went down for the year. Those injuries forced the Saints to sign players directly off the street to fill their backfield spots over the last month. Here’s a look at one of those late-season additions.

Evan Hull Year in ReviewPosition: Running backAge: 25Height: 5-feet, 10 inchesWeight: 209 poundsNFL experience: 3 years (1st with Saints)2025 season: 6 games

Hull rushed for 1,009 yards and 913 yards in his final two college seasons with the Northwestern Wildcats. It was enough for the Indianapolis Colts to select him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft. He played his first two years with the Colts, but only appeared in two games and got just 2 offensive touches for 7 yards.

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At the conclusion of the 2024 season, Hull was signed to a reserve/future contract by the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he wouldn’t make it out of 2025 training camp and was released by the Steelers in late August. Hull would be out of football altogether for over two months before he would get his next opportunity.

Decimated by injuries at the running back spot, the New Orleans Saints were desperate to even fill out their depth chart. The Saints signed Audric Estime and Hull in late October, with Hull getting inked to the practice squad on October 29. On November 25, injuries necessitated a promotion of Hull to the Saints active roster.

Hull played in each of the year’s final six games for New Orleans. He logged 77 snaps on offense, with another 41 on special teams. Hull had 19 rushes for 48 yards and caught 1 pass for 6 yards in a backup role. He was also pressed into duty as a kickoff returner, averaging 25.6 yards on seven returns.

Evan Hull is unlikely to figure into the Saints plans for 2026. Kamara and Neal return, along with Miller if he can finally stay healthy. Additionally, Estime did far better with his emergency opportunity than did Hull, and the Saints are expected to prioritize a running back in either free agency or early in the draft.