An injury has changed everything.
To start the New Orleans Saints Week 3 game, the team was able, surprisingly, to run the ball. This has been a struggle during the first two games of the season, but it looked much better against the Las Vegas Raiders. Travis Etienne's contract was a major move for the Saints this offseason, but it's been underwhelming until the Raiders game. Finally, Etienne looked like what the Saints wanted from him. He was fast, made incredible cuts, and had some nice plays. But when the run game was really going, Etienne got injured after a really good run.
This left the Saints' run game in a bad spot. Alvin Kamara had to be relied upon now, which was an issue last game, and Kendre Miller did not look as good as he did against the Detroit Lions. It just felt like the Saints' two backup options were a step slower than Etienne, and it really hurt the offense. CJ Donaldson is the other RB apart of this group, and although he did have a decent run in this game, he is more used as a fullback or a blocker rather than a main rusher.
The Saints run game must have success in their games, so going back to what we saw before Week 3 could be catastrophic, and I'm not sure Kamara and/or Kendre can improve the rushing attack. What makes this situation even more difficult is that the Saints have already moved on from two other RBs. Devin Neal is now on the Minnesota Vikings, and Audric Estime is still a free agent. The Saints could bring back Estime, but Donaldson can fill that role, and the Saints need to find more of an Etienne replacement.
On the practice squad, Zamir White is still sitting there, and I wouldn't be shocked to see the Saints go in that direction. He has a chance to break through defenses and make some big plays, but obviously won't be at that electric level of athleticism that Etienne would bring.
Looking at free agent options, it is bleak. Some options are still on other practice squads, like Dameon Pierce or Tyler Goodson, who could be great additions, and both have upside. If the Saints go with more solidified veterans, Kareem Hunt or Antonio Gibson would be a good direction to go in for New Orleans. But will they be better than the Saints' current options? Maybe not, but I think the Saints need to bring in new play styles to the RB room to add flexibility.
