Report: Saints to place Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve

The New Orleans Saints are reportedly placing running back Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, citing coach Kellen Moore, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Both reporters said Thursday that Etienne is dealing with the hamstring injury.

Etienne’s early production

Etienne has played 3 games in the 2026–27 season, producing 128 rushing yards on 30 attempts. He also has 11 receptions on 13 targets for 51 receiving yards, giving the Saints production both on rushing attempts and as a receiver. The 13 targets show that his role has included opportunities in the passing game as well as carries.

Saints’ team profile

New Orleans enters with a 1-2 record in 2026–27. The Saints rank 12th of 32 teams in offensive EPA and 28th of 32 in defensive EPA. EPA is expected points added, a measure that tracks how much a team’s plays have changed expected scoring outcomes.

The reported move concerns Etienne’s hamstring injury and an injured-reserve placement. Rapoport’s report attributed the information to Moore, while Schefter separately reported that the Saints are placing Etienne on injured reserve. The reports did not provide further details on his status beyond the hamstring injury and the reported roster move.