Saints' Travis Etienne Re-Injures Hamstring, Week 4 Status vs. Falcons Unclear

Travis Etienne Jr. re-aggravated a hamstring injury in Week 3, leaving his availability for the Saints' Monday night game against the Atlanta Falcons in question.

New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. is uncertain for Week 4 after aggravating a hamstring injury against the Raiders. Etienne had appeared on the injury report during the week with the same issue, and head coach Kellen Moore said the running back is dealing with the same hamstring problem he carried into that game.

Etienne was forced out with roughly six minutes left in the third quarter. Even with the shortened outing, he still led the New Orleans backfield with 13 carries, while Alvin Kamara handled nine rushes and Kendre Miller added four. Etienne was also the most productive Saints running back as a receiver, catching both of his targets for 13 yards.

The injury was poorly timed from a workload standpoint, as Etienne had recently taken control of the largest share of the Saints' carries. The extent of the reinjury has not been established, and it remains unknown whether he will be sidelined for Week 4 or beyond.

New Orleans turns to a Monday Night Football matchup with the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4. The Monday kickoff further complicates matters for fantasy managers, who must make lineup decisions with Etienne's availability unresolved.

For Etienne managers, the report's fantasy analysis frames the situation as a waiting game. His outlook for Week 4 is unknown, but the analysis would not be surprised if he sits after reinjuring the hamstring, since those injuries often flare up repeatedly and can linger. A week of rest is viewed as a sensible approach. If he is active against Atlanta, that would indicate the problem is minor and would make him a starter again in fantasy lineups.

Kamara is the direct beneficiary if Etienne cannot play. The expectation is a split backfield that he would head, likely leading the Saints in both carries and targets. The report cautions that Kamara has been inefficient this season and appears to have lost quickness, but the coaching staff still favors him over Miller. That projected volume could make him a viable flex option, though he is not considered startable if Etienne is healthy.

Miller sits behind him in the projected pecking order. He could see his combined carries and targets reach double digits in Week 4 if Etienne sits, but the analysis flags him as a risky fantasy play who would probably need to reach the end zone to deliver value. A scenario in which Miller serves as the lead back is possible, though it would qualify as a surprise, and the report advises against starting him on Monday.

Managers preparing for a potential game-time decision receive similar guidance: if Etienne's status drags toward Monday and Miller is the fallback, benching Etienne for a stronger option who plays Sunday is the recommended path. The situation figures to remain fluid throughout the week leading up to kickoff against the Falcons.