Saints to Activate Travis Etienne From Injured Reserve for Panthers Game
New Orleans' top free-agent addition is set to return from a hamstring strain that has sidelined him since Week 3, just in time for a matchup for first place in the NFC South
The New Orleans Saints plan to activate running back Travis Etienne Jr. from injured reserve Saturday, putting him in line to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, Tom Pelissero reported.
The Saints plan to activate RB Travis Etienne Jr. from injured reserve today, putting him in line to return to action Sunday vs. the Panthers, per source.View on X →
Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero): The Saints plan to activate RB Travis Etienne Jr. from injured reserve today, putting him in line to return to action Sunday vs. the Panthers, per source.
Etienne has been out since straining his left hamstring in the third quarter of a Week 3 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He returned to practice this week, was limited Wednesday and Thursday and went full on Friday, and the Saints listed him as questionable. Coach Kellen Moore said Friday that Etienne was "progressing well."
New Orleans has a roster spot ready for him after trading defensive tackle Davon Godchaux to Jacksonville at the deadline.
Etienne was the Saints' marquee offseason signing, a Louisiana native who left the Jaguars for a four-year, $48 million deal after his third 1,000-yard season. The investment hasn't paid off yet: he has played in only three of New Orleans' eight games, running for 128 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries.
The Saints cycled through several lead backs during his absence before Audric Estimé, claimed off waivers from Cleveland earlier this month, ran for 72 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries last week against the Browns. Etienne and Estimé should give Moore a pairing to work with, especially with fellow back C.J. Donaldson ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Etienne also returns to a banged-up offensive line, with right tackle Taliese Fuaga (knee) and center Erik McCoy (biceps) both out.
The stakes are real despite both teams' records. The Saints and Panthers are each 3-5, and the winner moves into sole possession of first place in the NFC South. Kickoff at the Caesars Superdome is 10 a.m. PT Sunday on Fox.