The New Orleans Saints are preparing to activate running back Travis Etienne Jr. from injured reserve ahead of their Sunday matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
The veteran player has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury during Week 3 of the current season.
According to “reporting from Yahoo Sports”, the organization expects Etienne to immediately reclaim his role as the team’s primary running back.
This development was further corroborated by “RotoWire Fantasy Football”, which cited information from Tom Pelissero regarding the roster move.
Etienne returns to face a Panthers defense that currently allows the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season.
Analysts project that Etienne could see between 15 and 20 opportunities during the game, given the team’s significant financial investment in his position.
The return of Etienne creates a major shift for other players on the roster.
Audric Estime, who received 15 carries last week, is now expected to be relegated to the bench and may soon become a droppable asset for fantasy managers, as noted by “Sports Illustrated”.
Meanwhile, Alvin Kamara will continue his role as a change-of-pace back.
The coaching staff intends to keep Kamara’s workload limited to approximately five carries and five targets, according to the outlets.
Fantasy experts suggest that Kamara should be considered a shaky flex option for lineups this week.
The Saints are looking to capitalize on their healthy backfield as they aim to improve their performance on the field.
While the team navigates various roster adjustments, the primary focus remains on integrating Etienne back into the offensive scheme.
The organizational strategy emphasizes utilizing him as the lead back for the remainder of the season.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the workload distribution unfolds during the upcoming contest in Carolina.