The New Orleans Saints won't have Travis Etienne Jr. available for the foreseeable future. Saints head coach Kellen Moore announced Thursday, per ESPN's Mike Triplett, that Etienne will go on the injured list. The running back left a Week 3 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders with a hamstring issue.
Moore said, "We'll see" whether Etienne can return once he's eligible after four weeks. New Orleans signed Etienne to a four-year, $48 million contract during the offseason. The former first-round pick spent five seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, tallying 5,136 scrimmage yards and 32 touchdowns in 66 games.
Etienne began his Saints tenure with just 17 carries through two games, sharing reps with veteran Alvin Kamara. Yet the 27-year-old gained 70 yards on 13 handoffs and two catches before exiting Sunday's game in the third quarter. Etienne must now miss all of October, starting with an upcoming NFC South showdown against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Saints can activate him after they return from a bye to play the Cleveland Browns in Week 9. Along with Kamara, the Saints could also give Kendre Miller more work. The 2023 third-round pick scored a touchdown in Week 2 and gained 19 yards on six touches last Sunday.
CJ Donaldson could also see an increased role in Etienne's absence. The undrafted rookie has registered nine yards this season and played a dozen snaps in Week 3. The Saints will test their backfield without Etienne when facing the Falcons this Monday at 8:15 p.m.
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