The Situation
It’s a tough look for the New Orleans Saints. Coach Kellen Moore officially confirmed that running back Travis Etienne Jr. is heading to injured reserve following a hamstring injury sustained in the Week 3 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Etienne pulled up during a 16-yard run on Sunday, grabbing his left leg. He was able to walk into the medical tent on his own, but the damage is serious enough to keep him off the field for at least four weeks. The good news? He doesn't need surgery. But for a guy on a massive four-year, $47 million deal—making him the 12th-highest-paid RB in the league—this absence is highkey frustrating. He’s currently sitting on 30 carries for 128 yards with zero touchdowns on the season.
Next Man Up
With Etienne out, the pressure is on the rest of the room. Coach Moore is keeping the vibes calm, leaning into the committee approach. "I think Alvin and Kendre will handle that load really well," Moore said.
Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and CJ Donaldson have already been getting significant work, combining for 35 carries to Etienne’s 30 over the first three weeks. Kamara is the veteran here with the most proven track record, and this is his moment to reclaim the primary ballcarrier role. It’s giving classic "next man up" energy, but the offense will definitely need to step up if they want to avoid becoming too one-dimensional.
Why it matters
The Saints’ offense is currently sitting in the middle of the pack for rushing and leans heavy on the pass. Losing their primary back for a month is a L for their overall game plan. Whether Kamara can turn back the clock and carry the load remains the biggest question of the next few weeks.
