The
Etienne had been managing a hamstring issue leading up to the Raiders matchup, though he appeared to have recovered sufficiently to participate fully in the team's final practice session on Friday. According to coach Kellen Moore, the setback occurred on the same leg that had been troubling the running back throughout the week.
Backfield Adjustments for the Saints
Before his departure from the game against Las Vegas, Etienne had recorded a season-high 19 carries for 57 yards. His absence forced a shift in the Saints' offensive strategy, with the workload distributed between
The coaching staff now faces the challenge of reconfiguring the backfield for the upcoming Monday night clash against the Atlanta Falcons. The team is expected to utilize a rotation featuring Kamara, Miller, and rookie CJ Donaldson. Kamara, who made his season debut in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens after missing the opener with a knee injury, currently holds 18 carries for 51 yards this season. Miller, who was a healthy inactive during the second week of play, has contributed 13 carries for 44 yards and a single touchdown.
The Saints' reliance on Etienne had been notable during the first half of the Raiders game, where he served as the primary rusher. With his mandatory four-game absence now confirmed, the team will look to its remaining depth to maintain its ground game production starting with the divisional matchup against Atlanta.
