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.
Travis Etienne Jr. is set to lead the running game for the New Orleans Saints when the regular season begins next weekend. It can't be understated how important he is for the Saints to be successful this year. ESPN's Ben Solak named Etienne as New Orleans' X-factor for the upcoming season. Solak proclaimed if the Saints can't run the ball more effectively with Etienne spearheading the ground game, they will struggle as a whole once again. Etienne was largely an average back in Jacksonville. Over the past three seasons, he has averaged 3.9 yards per carry (RBs average 4.5) with a 36% success rate (RBs average 40.4%). He has endured scheme changes, terrible offensive lines and fended off committee backfields. He also has value as a receiver. But the Saints need him to be a quality veteran back behind what they expect to be an ascending young line as they build a good offensive nucleus for Shough to develop. Etienne was the club's second-largest free agent signing of the offseason. The former first-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars already had high expectations placed on him when he inked his four-year, $48 million deal in March. Alvin Kamara is still out with a knee injury. Devin Neal was waived after suffering a season ending in injury. RB depth is not in a great place, and even at wide receiver, rookie Jordyn Tyson will miss the opening quarter of the year with a hamstring injury of his own. Enter Etienne, who averaged 274 touches during his first four seasons in Jacksonville. He better be ready for a higher usage level to start the year out as New Orleans works below full strength. New Orleans will go on the road to face the Detroit Lions in the season-opener. Etienne will be counted on to carry the load, and in essence, elevate the entire team.
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