The Saints are set to get Travis Etienne Jr. back just in time for a crucial Week 10 meeting with Carolina.
New Orleans plans to activate the running back from injured reserve Saturday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, which puts Etienne on track to suit up Sunday against the Panthers.
“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 he injured his hamstring in New Orleans’ Week 3 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The team opened his 21-day practice window Wednesday after designating him to return from injured reserve, and he worked on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday before moving to full participation Friday. New Orleans listed him as questionable for Sunday.
If he’s active, Etienne gives the Saints another piece in a backfield that already includes Alvin Kamara and Audric Estime.
Through three games this season, Etienne has run for 128 yards on 30 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt. He’s also hauled in 11 passes for 51 yards, giving him 179 yards from scrimmage overall.
His last game came in that 35-27 Week 3 loss to Las Vegas, when he posted a season-best 57 rushing yards on 13 carries and added two catches for 13 yards. That day, he finished with 70 yards from scrimmage before the injury sidelined him for an extended stretch.
The timing matters for New Orleans, which is coming off a 23-22 overtime win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 9. The Saints are 3-5 and have a chance to get closer to .500 against a Panthers team with the same record.
New Orleans hosts Carolina on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on Fox.
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