The New Orleans Saints will be down at least one running back for the first month of the 2026 season.
The team announced on Saturday that they have placed Audric Estime on injured reserve, which means he will be out for at minimum the first four games of the season. Estime left the preseason finale against the Cowboys due to injury and missed practices over the past two weeks with what the team described as a thigh issue.
In a corresponding move the Saints signed TE Treyton Welch to the 53-man roster. Welch had initially made the roster out of camp but was waived and re-signed to the practice squad to make room for a pair of waiver claims.
The Saints also announced that they had elevated WR Kevin Austin Jr. and RB CJ Donaldson for their Week 1 matchup with the Lions. Donaldon's workload could be contingent on the status of Alvin Kamara. The veteran RB returned to practice this week after missing time due to a knee injury suffered during the joint practice with the Cowboys. Kamara was upgraded to a full participant at Friday's practice but was listed as questionable for the game.
Regardless, expect a heavy role for newcomer Travis Etienne, whom the Saints signed to a big-money deal this past offseason to lead the backfield. Kendre Miller, who was not listed on the injury report, will likely see the biggest increase in work if Kamara can't go. Miller dealt with a back injury in camp and missed practices with an undisclosed injury during the bonus week, but got in a full workload this past week and is a full go for the season opener.
The Saints face off with the Lions for a noon kickoff Sunday at Ford Field. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
