Saints Activate Travis Etienne Jr. From Injured Reserve Before Panthers Game
The New Orleans Saints activated running back Travis Etienne Jr. from injured reserve ahead of their Week 10 game against the Carolina Panthers. Two starting linemen are out, and staff writers split 2-1 in the Saints' favor with an early NFC South lead at stake.
The New Orleans Saints activated running back Travis Etienne Jr. off injured reserve (IR) before their Week 10 game against the Carolina Panthers, the team announced. The Saints score in that NFC South matchup may depend on how well a banged-up offensive line holds up around him.
Etienne had been on IR since October 1.
A hamstring injury sidelined him in a Week 3 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. He had dealt with hamstring issues in the week leading up to that game. He still rushed for a season-high 57 yards before leaving in the third quarter, grabbing his left hamstring at the end of a 16-yard run.
Etienne practiced fully on Friday. He said he "feels great" and was eager to return.
"I'm just here to help the team and I feel like not much help when I'm out there on the sideline in my street clothes," he said. "So hopefully it let me suit up and I go out there and just be a valuable asset to the team."
He will likely share carries with Alvin Kamara and Audric Estime. Estime led the Saints with 72 rushing yards against the Cleveland Browns last week after being claimed off waivers.
The Saints also placed second-round pick Christen Miller on IR. He was downgraded earlier in the week with a knee injury.
New Orleans will be without two starting offensive linemen against Carolina. Center Erik McCoy (biceps) and Taliese Fuaga (knee) were both declared out Friday. Rookie fourth-round pick Jeremiah Wright will start at right guard.
An early lead on the NFC South title is on the line. Saints Wire's staff described the Saints and Panthers as two teams that just might be the best squads in the NFL's worst division.
Its three writers split 2-1 in favor of the Saints. John Sigler called the Panthers an overachieving team facing a Saints team "that can't figure out how to play with a lead." He picked New Orleans, citing Etienne's return and the emergence of wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. His bold prediction: overtime, with Tyson scoring the game-winner.
Bob Rose also took the Saints. He said the right side of the line is "a huge concern," but expects New Orleans to run the ball with some success to its left and set up play-action shots for quarterback Tyler Shough. His bold prediction: Shough throws for 300 yards for the first time since opening week, with Chris Olave and Tyson both topping 100 receiving yards.
Arye Pulli went the other way. He picked the Panthers, saying Carolina quarterback Bryce Young makes enough plays to stay ahead and that a late defensive stop seals it. Pulli's bold prediction: Olave goes over 150 receiving yards in a losing effort.
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