Saints activate Travis Etienne Jr. off IR for Panthers game
The New Orleans Saints activated running back Travis Etienne Jr. off injured reserve after a hamstring injury, ahead of a key NFC South game with the Panthers.
Livefeed News DeskUpdated · 2 min read
Quick answer
The New Orleans Saints activated running back Travis Etienne Jr. off injured reserve on Saturday, ahead of Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. He had been on IR since 1 October with a hamstring injury suffered in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders, and is expected to play.
Key facts
- The Saints activated Etienne off injured reserve on Saturday.
- He had been on IR since 1 October with a hamstring injury from Week 3.
- ESPN's Adam Schefter reported he is expected to play.
- Before the injury he had 128 rushing yards on 30 carries.
- The Saints and Panthers are both 3-5, with first place in the NFC South at stake.
Etienne back after five games out
The New Orleans Saints activated running back Travis Etienne Jr. off injured reserve before Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, the team announced on Saturday. He had missed five games. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that he is expected to play.
Etienne went on IR on 1 October after hurting his hamstring in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. He had been dealing with hamstring trouble that week, and although he ran for a season-high 57 yards, he left in the third quarter after grabbing his left hamstring at the end of a 16-yard run.
Conflicting practice reports
Accounts of his week differ. ESPN reported that Etienne practised fully on Friday, while NFL.com said he was limited all week and carried a questionable designation into the weekend.
Etienne said he "feels great". "I feel like not much help when I'm out there on the sideline in my street clothes," he said.
What he adds to the Saints' run game
One of the club's main free-agent signings, the 27-year-old had 128 rushing yards on 30 carries and 11 catches for 51 yards before the injury. New Orleans rank 26th in the league in rushing, and quarterback Tyler Shough leads the team with 162 yards, only 34 more than Etienne despite his absence. Kendre Miller, second with 159 yards, was released last weekend.
The rest of the backfield includes Alvin Kamara (157 rushing yards, 150 receiving), CJ Donaldson (81 rushing yards) and Audric Estimé. Estimé, claimed off waivers from the Browns on 3 November, ran 15 times for 72 yards and a touchdown in the 23-22 overtime win over Cleveland in Week 9, sharing the work with Kamara. CBS Sports expects both to see fewer snaps with Etienne back.
First place on the line
The Saints (3-5) and Panthers (3-5) kick off at 1pm ET on Sunday, and the winner takes sole possession of first place in the NFC South. Carolina's defence has allowed the fifth-most rushing yards in the league.
Frequently asked questions
Is Travis Etienne Jr. playing against the Panthers?
He was activated off injured reserve on Saturday and Adam Schefter reported he is expected to play.
What injury did Travis Etienne Jr. have?
A left hamstring injury suffered in Week 3 against the Raiders, which put him on IR from 1 October.
How does Etienne's return affect Audric Estimé?
CBS Sports expects Estimé and Alvin Kamara to see reduced snaps with Etienne back.
What is at stake in Saints vs Panthers?
Both teams are 3-5, and the winner takes sole possession of first place in the NFC South.
