New Orleans Saints Make Big Announcement Before Week 10

The first-place New Orleans Saints (3-5) have begun to make a comeback. Yes, you read that correctly. Following a loss by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6), the Saints are now in a two-way tie for first place with the Carolina Panthers (3-5).

Coinciding with the Saints' comeback is the anticipated return of star running back Travis Etienne Jr. who the Saints announced has returned to practice this week.

Ahead of the Saints' tie breaker matchup with the Carolina Panthers, some speculate that Etienne could return for his team this week for the pivotal game. Here's some of what Clutch Points' Rexwell Villas wrote on the possible return.

"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."

That the Saints had one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL is one of the worst kept secrets in the NFL. Before the Saints' Week 8 bye, New Orleans rushed for about one yard per attempt against the Steelers.

New running back addition Audric Estime provided a spark after the bye with just under 5.0 yards per carry in Sunday's win over the Cleveland Browns. Nevertheless, Etienne provides a higher ceiling after rushing for 1,000 yards last season.

If the Saints want to win the NFC South, they need to beat the Panthers. We'll see if Etienne is able to contribute for the game this week.