Etienne Jr.
played less than 60% of snaps despite several running back injuries. The Saints signed Etienne to a long-term contract in free agency to make him their lead running back. They appeared to have significant depth, with Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Devin Neal, Audric Estime and Ty Chandler all competing for the backup spots. However, Neal and Chandler landed on injured reserve before the season, Estime went on injured reserve on Saturday and Kamara was inactive with a knee injury. This left Miller as the top backup by default, while CJ Donaldson was a practice squad call-up to be third on the depth chart. Etienne played 59% of early-down snaps, with Miller rotating in heavily. Donaldson took the third-down role, and all three played in short-yardage situations. Etienne and Miller split carries at nine each, and it was Miller who scored the team's one rushing touchdown. Etienne was the goal-line back, so he will likely see more carries going forward, but this game was supposed to be the ceiling of what Etienne’s usage would be. This was a notable decrease from what Etienne did with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, with fewer early-down snaps but more snaps in passing situations, leading to fewer touches.