The New Orleans Saints are getting healthier in the backfield. On Wednesday, running back Travis Etienne has reportedly resumed practicing with the NFC South franchise after a stint on the injured reserve.
“Travis Etienne was practicing today,” Katherine Terrell of ESPN shared via a social media post on X, formerly Twitter.
The Saints are preparing for a key showdown in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, and Etienne could make his return to action in that contest.
The 27-year-old Etienne last played in Week 3 of the 2026 NFL season against the Las Vegas Raiders at home. He rushed 13 times versus the Raiders for 57 yards and zero touchdowns. In the three games he's played thus far this season, the former Clemson Tigers star running back has garnered 128 rushing yards on 30 carries. He is still looking to reach the end zone for the first time in 2026.
Etienne was placed on the injured reserve by the Saints during the first week of October due to a hamstring injury. He led the Saints in rushing yards in each of the first three games of the season. After his designation to the IR, the Saints have had four different players as top rushers in a game over their next five outings, and that includes quarterback Tyler Shough in Week 7, in which he only picked up seven rushing yards.
Also, the Saints released running back Kendre Miller and reunited with Audric Estime during Etienne's absence, with Estime pacing New Orleans with 72 rushing yards in Week 9's win over the Cleveland Browns in the Big Easy.
Etienne will look to help boost New Orleans' run game, which is just 26th in the league through nine weeks, with an average of only 95.3 rushing yards per game.