By Katherine Terrell | Oct 1, 2026, 04:42 PM ET
Travis Etienne Jr. Officially Placed on Injured Reserve by New Orleans Saints
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints have moved quickly to manage their backfield depth, placing running back Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve on Thursday. The designation officially sidelines the former Jaguars starter for at least the next four games, shifting the bulk of the offensive workload to Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller.
The move comes just weeks into the season, after Etienne dealt with hamstring discomfort in the days leading up to the Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. His exit during that contest marked a significant turning point for an offense that had hoped to feature a robust three-headed rushing attack.
The Injury and Timeline for Etienne’s Return
Etienne left the Week 3 loss in the third quarter after grabbing his left hamstring at the end of a 16-yard run. He did not return to the field, capping a week where he had been visibly managing hamstring issues in practice. The injury is not considered surgery-related, according to Saints head coach Kellen Moore, offering a glimmer of optimism for a potential earlier-than-expected recovery.
“Moore said that Etienne’s injury did not require surgery. ‘It’ll take a little while,’ Moore said. ‘So obviously we felt like it would be at least four weeks and then we’ll just kind of see how this thing progresses.'”
While the four-game minimum is the standard for a reserve-list designation, Moore was noncommittal when pressed on whether Etienne could return immediately upon eligibility. The coaching staff is prioritizing a cautious approach to prevent the hamstring from flaring up again, a common concern for backs returning to full speed too quickly.
Kellen Moore on the Backfield Rotation Plan
With Etienne sidelined, the Saints must navigate the next few weeks without their primary change-of-pace option. Moore has indicated that the coaching staff is comfortable with a committee approach rather than relying on a single bell-cow back. The strategy leverages the strengths of the remaining healthy veterans.
Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller Absorb the Majority of Snaps
Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller will shoulder the majority of the carries. Kamara, who was inactive for Week 1 recovering from a sprained MCL sustained in training camp, has been the team’s most productive rusher to start the 2026 season. Miller adds a complementary element with his own rushing pedigree, having played a number of snaps last year and starting this season.
Moore praised the pairing, noting that the modern NFL rarely asks a single back to carry the load indefinitely. “Very few times this league is one running back going to haul the load. That’s just what this league is,” Moore said. “Alvin’s done a nice job to start the season… Kendre’s played a number of snaps. He played some really good football last year in the start this season. So, we’ll continue to roll with these guys.”
Depth Chart Adjustments and CJ Donaldson’s Role
The Saints are also integrating rookie CJ Donaldson into specific situations. Donaldson is expected to work in short-yardage packages, as well as handle duties on special teams and in pass protection, providing the offense with a specialized third option rather than a full-time workload.
To round out the roster moves, New Orleans signed Ulysses Bentley IV to the practice squad on Thursday, adding depth for the weeks ahead. The organization feels the roster is in a stable position to weather Etienne’s absence.
| Player | Primary Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Alvin Kamara | Majority of snaps; featured back | Active |
| Kendre Miller | Majority of snaps; complementary runner | Active |
| CJ Donaldson | Short-yardage, special teams, protection | Active |
| Travis Etienne Jr. | Hamstring (non-surgical) | Injured Reserve (4+ games) |
Contract Context for the Saints’ Running Backs
The roster shuffle also highlights the financial commitments the Saints have made to their backfield. Etienne entered the league via free agency, signing a four-year, $52 million contract, making his injury a notable loss in terms of both production and investment.
Conversely, the team recently reworked Kamara’s deal in July, lowering his base salary in exchange for up to $8.5 million in incentives. This structure keeps Kamara in New Orleans for another season while tying more of his compensation to on-field production. The shift in usage patterns will be critical for Kamara to hit those incentive thresholds over the next several weeks.
Outlook for the Saints’ Running Game
The next four weeks will define whether the Saints can sustain offensive efficiency without Etienne. The coaching staff remains confident that the combination of Kamara’s veteran production and Miller’s recent form is sufficient to maintain the ground game. However, the uncertainty surrounding Etienne’s return timeline leaves the long-term backfield plan in flux as the season progresses.
If Etienne’s recovery follows the initial four-week projection, the Saints could regain their full backfield depth late in the regular season. Until then, they will rely on the committee approach that Moore described, navigating the divisional gauntlet with a balanced, if untested, rushing attack.
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