Saints Have Options if Travis Etienne Jr. Can’t Play

Travis Etienne Jr. practiced fully Friday for the first time this week, and suddenly Kellen Moore has a decision worth looking forward to. Etienne remains on injured reserve and is questionable for Sunday’s game as the New Orleans Saints get ready to face-off against Carolina. If the Saints activate him, they should give him a role he can build on and keep handing the ball to Audric Estimé. The Saints finally got useful carries from two backs against Cleveland. A third option could help them keep that going. 

Estimé ran 15 times for 72 yards in the Saints’ 23-22 overtime win over the Browns on Nov. 8. His 2-yard touchdown put New Orleans ahead late in regulation. Alvin Kamara added 32 yards on six carries, and Moore singled out his timely runs late in the game. Kamara practiced fully Thursday and Friday and has no game designation for Sunday. 

Give Estimé some of the first-down carries again and see whether he can turn a crowded run into second-and-6. That gives Moore room to bring Kamara in and move him around. Line him up beside Tyler Shough on one snap, then motion him out wide on the next. If a linebacker follows, Shough gets a clue about the coverage before the ball is snapped. That’s one way a back can make a drive easier without getting the carry.

Etienne hurt his hamstring against the Raiders on Sept. 27. He was limited Wednesday and Thursday before practicing fully Friday. Carolina ruled out linebacker Bobby Okereke with a foot injury, while New Orleans ruled out center Erik McCoy and tackle Taliese Fuaga. That makes the middle of the field interesting on both sides of the ball, especially when the Saints need a quick answer for Shough. 

If Etienne is activated, I’d like to see an early swing pass or a route into the flat. Get him the ball with room to turn upfield, then see how Carolina adjusts. If a linebacker widens with him, a tight end can work into the space that opens inside. If the defender stays home, Shough has an easy completion available. The same look could work with Kamara, which is part of the appeal. Moore could rotate the backs without changing what the quarterback is reading.

Moore would need to be selective about asking a back to stay in and sort out a blitz. With Cesar Ruiz moving to center and rookie Jeremiah Wright starting at right guard, the Saints already have new combinations sorting out protection. A few quick throws early would let that group settle in before Carolina gets a chance to tee off on third-and-long. 

The Saints and Panthers are both 3-5, with first place in the NFC South at stake when they kick off at noon Central on Sunday, Nov. 15, at Caesars Superdome. I’d go into the game with Estimé and Kamara ready to handle the work they did against Cleveland. If Etienne is available, give him a series where he can stay on the field long enough to see how Carolina responds. The snap I’ll be watching is second-and-6 after a decent run. If Moore can call another handoff, a quick throw to the back or play-action from the same formation, the Saints will have a lot more to work with than they did before the bye