Travis Etienne (hamstring) resumes practicing

Travis Etienne took part in a limited practice Wednesday, his first on-field work since a hamstring injury placed him on injured reserve following Week 3. The Saints designated him for return this week, opening a 21-day window to activate him to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's division game against the Carolina Panthers.

Etienne signed a four-year, $52 million contract in the offseason after finishing 2025 as the overall PPR RB10 with 13 touchdowns from scrimmage. Through three games this season he rushed for 128 yards on 30 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt.

In his absence the Saints cycled through Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, rookie undrafted free agent CJ Donaldson and Zamir White. Kamara has not topped 40 rushing yards in any game and has recorded only one game with 40-plus receiving yards. Miller averaged 2.6 yards per carry before being waived on November 7. Donaldson ran for 39 yards against the Giants in Week 6 but has not played since, and White has one carry for one yard.

The club re-signed Audric Estime ahead of Week 9, and he responded with 72 yards and a touchdown against Cleveland in what was described as a revenge game against his former team. Estime is viewed as a rotational piece rather than a full-time lead back.

Head coach Kellen Moore struck a cautious tone when asked about Etienne's availability. "We'll see. He's progressing well. We'll gather some more information and make a decision," Moore told Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Moore added the team was "using the time allotted" to let Etienne work with the training staff before deciding on his return this week.

New Orleans sits 2-5 and last in the NFC South after snapping a three-game home losing streak with an overtime win over the Browns. The Saints face a three-game stretch against Chicago, Cincinnati and Green Bay — all considered championship contenders — before a five-game finish that includes four division matchups.