“It just makes it better for both of us,” Etienne said during an appearance on The Jim Rome Show. “Every time we’re out there, we want to feel fresh. It keeps the defense on their toes. They’ve gotta worry about two guys instead of one. I feel like it’s only gonna make the team better.”

The NFC South used to be one of the most balanced divisions last season. The Saints, with this duo of running backs, aim to break the mold and steamroll everyone heading into the upcoming season.

Will Kamara remain a Saint?

Alvin Kamara’s status with the New Orleans Saints is currently on high alert as the team evaluates his future for the 2026 season. Despite a recent contract restructure that lowered his cap hit to approximately $10.5 million, the front office is reportedly considering further adjustments, including a potential pay cut or even a roster cut.

A lethal backfield in New Orleans

In the 2025 season, Travis Etienne Jr. established himself as a workhorse, rushing for 1,107 yards and 7 touchdowns on 260 carries, while adding 292 receiving yards and 6 scores through the air. In contrast, Alvin Kamara saw a more limited role in 11 games, finishing the year with 471 rushing yards, 186 receiving yards, and one total touchdown on the ground.

More ground options for Moore

The Saints’ running back room is full of talent. In addition to the aforementioned Etienne and Kamara, the depth chart is complemented by the following players:

• Kendre Miller
• Devin Neal
• Ty Chandler
• Audric Estime
• Evan Hull

“He’s certainly on the roster and part of the running back room,” the head coach said to reporters from the league meeting in Arizona. “We feel like there’s ways to manipulate all of those guys and put them in plenty of situations.

“Plenty of running backs play. Obviously we feel fortunate that we were able to acquire Travis in free agency, but there’s still a lot of work there to be had out there.”

What is Kamara’s current situation in NOLA?

Financially, the Saints recently restructured Kamara’s contract using the “50 percent rule,” a move that cleared over $8 million in cap space for 2026 without adding future guaranteed debt. This flexibility allows the front office to keep the franchise icon for the upcoming season or move on after June 1 with minimal dead money—a decision that remains a “full offseason process” as the team balances veteran leadership with younger talent.

Teams eyeing the Saints’ gem

The Denver Broncos are widely considered the favorites due to Kamara‘s history with Sean Payton, while the Washington Commanders and Jacksonville Jaguars (who just lost Etienne) have been identified as suitors in need of a versatile, veteran pass-catcher. Other dark-horse candidates include the Baltimore Ravens, who could pair him with Derrick Henry, and the Seattle Seahawks, who are seeking backfield depth following Zach Charbonnet’s injury and Kenneth Walker’s departure.

New Orleans’ intriguing backfield

Kellen Moore will have the privilege of fielding a highly dangerous ground game to support Tyler Shough. Behind the aforementioned Kamara and Etienne, these are the RBs who will represent the Gold and Black in 2026.

• Kendre Miller
• Devin Neal
• Ty Chandler
• Audric Estime
• Evan Hull

“Uhhh, I’m not going to get into all of that stuff. I haven’t had those conversations, anyways,” Kellen Moore admitted during a press conference when asked about Alvin Kamara possibly eyeing retirement, via @UnderdogNFL on X.

Kamara is signed to a contract through the 2026 NFL season. If the running back and organization both want to make it happen, Kamara can stay with the Saints for another year, though sharing the backfield with Etienne.

However, the latest half-back addition may signal New Orleans is steering in a different direction. Moore’s offense may not be big enough to accommodate both stars. Perhaps, there’s a new sheriff in “The Big Easy”.

Etienne’s signing could spell trouble for Kamara

Signing Etienne to a four-year, $52 million contract allowed the Saints to breathe a sigh of relief. However—unless Kamara made it known he’s considered stepping away from the NFL—it also puts Kamara on notice.

Etienne may not be as threatening as Kamara is on a receiving back role, but he can still make magic happen. Moreover, Etienne is younger, faster, and—most importantly—less injury-prone than Kamara. So far in his four-season career, Etienne has only missed two games.

As for Kamara, injuries have caused him to miss 23 regular season games. Kamara only managed to stay healthy through his rookie season (2017). Since, he’s missed at least one game every year. It’s not like “AK41” has dealt with a recurring issue, either. Instead, he has come down with several, different injuries, such as concussions, knee and ankle sprains, and rib fractures, per Sportskeeda.

As insider Jordan Schultz reported, the Saints have signed Travis Etienne Jr, who became a free agent after his stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Etienne Jr. is now joining Kamara and company on a New Orleans team that is eyeing the next step in its rebuild.

Etienne is now joining a running back room in NOLA that features Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Devin Neal, and Audric Estime, via ESPN. At least one of them will have to make way for Etienne Jr when the 2026 NFL season gets underway.

Jaguars depth chart at RB

As for the Jaguars, in less than a year they have parted ways with what many expected to be their one-two punch for a long time. Trading Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles last season and letting Etienne walk as an unrestricted free agent before the 2026 NFL campaign, Liam Coen will be commanding a very different half back’s room.

As listed on ESPN, the Jaguars’ running back options feature Bhayshul Tuten, LeQuint Allen Jr., and DeeJay Dallas. Based on where it currently stands, Jacksonville could be a name to watch in the HB market both during free agency and in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Etienne Jr. contract details

According to Adam Schefter, the Saints have handed Etienne Jr. a four-year contract worth $52 million. Thus, Etienne is set to make an average of $13 million per season. Etienne could prove crucial for New Orleans, who last year witnessed an injury bug deplete its running back room, watching Kamara, Miller, and Neal all go down.

Moreover, Travis Etienne is now joining the NFC South, where his younger brother, Trevor Etienne, plays for the Carolina Panthers. The Etienne household may need to start making reservations as the siblings will face each other twice during the 2026 campaign.

According to the latest injury report provided by the Saints, Alvin Kamara has been ruled out for Week 14. The running back has ankle and knee issues, so he will not play against the Buccaneers on Sunday.

As for Chris Olave, New Orleans listed him as limited in both Thursday and Friday practices. The wide receiver is dealing with a back injury, but NFL Insider Adam Schefter confirmed that he will play in Week 14.

The future is uncertain for Alvin Kamara

Last year, Alvin Kamara signed a contract extension with the Saints that runs through the 2026 NFL season. He has been the most outstanding player on the NFC South team in recent years, but now his future is highly uncertain.

Kamara, 30, is still a powerful and productive running back. However, he has dealt with several injuries lately that have reduced his numbers, also due to the Saints not being a successful franchise recently.

According to reports, the Saints may seek a trade for Kamara next offseason. He may still be an attractive asset for other clubs, such as the Chiefs, that are struggling to find a reliable running back.

Chris Olave’s continuity with the Saints is also in the air

As for Olave, he is one of the best wide receivers in the league, but the lack of a decent quarterback has had a direct impact on his productivity, raising concerns among fans.

Olave is still under the rookie contract he signed in 2022. The team has already exercised his fifth-year option for 2026, but things could change significantly in the coming months regarding his continuity with the club.

According to reports, the Saints received several trade offers for Olave this year. If New Orleans cannot secure a top-tier quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft, moving on from the wide receiver could give the NFC South team better draft capital to build a stronger roster or find an elite signal-caller.

The latest injury report confirms that Alvin Kamara will miss today’s game between the Saints and the Dolphins due to a persistent knee and ankle injury, which the Saints’ medical team is closely monitoring.

Kamara’s absence is especially disappointing for fans who had hoped to see him return to action after missing Week 12 against the Atlanta Falcons. Unfortunately, his condition has not improved, and he remains in recovery, shrouded in uncertainty about his availability if the Saints make it to the Wild Card round.

The lack of Kamara, combined with fans’ hopes to at least see Chris Olave on the field, places the Saints in a precarious position regarding their playoff prospects. They face the challenge of winning this crucial match and also relying on other outcomes to fall in their favor, complicating their path to the next round.

Who is replacing Kamara today vs the Dolphins?

As Kamara continues his recovery, Saints’ head coach Kellen Moore is putting his faith in Devin Neal. The 22-year-old is set to make his first career start after stepping in for Kamara in seven games this season.

Expectations are high for Neal among the Saints’ fan base, as he could prove to be a pivotal asset against the Dolphins. The Dolphins are facing their own challenges with four players listed as questionable for Week 13.

The outlook appears daunting for the Saints in their quest for a playoff berth this season. They are counting on their young talent to shift the tide while also hoping for favorable outcomes in other games today to maintain a sliver of hope for entering the Wild Card round.

Nonetheless, Alvin Kamara’s participation in today’s game for the New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons remains uncertain. According to the latest injury report on the Saints’ official website, he’s listed as questionable due to an ankle injury.

While there’s hope Kamara will play for the Saints today, other key players could be sidelined, as indicated by the injury report. This situation has fans concerned about the outcome, especially since the Saints have not had a stellar season thus far.

Conversely, the Falcons have struggled this season, posting a 3-7 record. They aim to conclude the season on a positive note, having initially set high expectations for their fan base that their performance has unfortunately not met.

Saints’ full injury report

With Kamara’s status for today’s game against the Falcons questionable, there are three other players listed with a report status, and three more whose status remains uncertain.

Here is the full list:

• Brandin Cooks, WR – Out
• Taliese Fuaga, T – Questionable
• Alvin Kamara, RB – Questionable
• Barry Wesley, T – Questionable
• Chris Olave, WR – Undetermined
• Jack Stoll, TE – Undetermined
• Davon Godchaux, DT – Undetermined

Falcons’ players that will not take the field

While the Saints have only one confirmed absence, the Falcons are dealing with a tougher situation. They already have five players sidelined due to various injuries, and several others remain questionable ahead of the matchup against the Saints in New Orleans.

These are the five players out for the game vs. the Saints:

• Billy Bowman Jr., SAF
• Malik Verdon, LB
• Drake London, WR
• Josh Woods, LB
• Zach Harrison, DE

According to the official New Orleans Saints website, Alvin Kamara was listed as questionable for today’s game against the Carolina Panthers due to a knee injury. However, a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Kamara will be available today, and could be crucial due to an impressive overall catch percentage of 82%.

With Kamara available, quarterback Spencer Rattler can rely on Chris Olave too, to help invigorate the offense against the Panthers. Additionally, Rattler could look to Kendre Miller, who has managed a perfect 100% catch rate in the seven games he has played this season.

On the other hand, the Panthers are cautious not to underestimate the Saints despite their struggles. Although New Orleans may appear to be an easy target to extend Carolina’s winning record, the Panthers acknowledge the challenge ahead, especially as they contend with their own absences, such as guard Chandler Zavala, who is sidelined with an elbow injury.

Other Saints players listed as questionable vs. Panthers

With Kamara’s status already cleared for today’s matchup against the Panthers, the New Orleans Saints face potential absences from other key defensive players. Tight End Jack Stoll, Defensive End Jonah Williams, and Defensive Tackle Bryan Bresee are among the players whose availability remains in doubt, with the team expected to make a last-minute decision on their participation.

Offensive Tackle Taliese Fuaga is the only player confirmed to be sidelined due to an ankle injury. The absence of these pivotal players could pose significant challenges for the Saints, as they form a crucial part of the team’s strategy heading into this critical game.

Despite being in a challenging position, expectations for this game remain high among the fan base, eager to see how New Orleans can rally during the final stretch of the regular season. A turnaround seems daunting, given their struggles to date, but the Saints are determined to stage a remarkable comeback.

During the 2025 NFL trade deadline, the Saints sent Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for fourth- and fifth-round draft picks. His exit left a vacancy on the 53-man roster, which the team has now filled.

On Thursday, the Saints announced that running back Audric Estime has been signed to the active roster. He will add depth to the position, with Alvin Kamara still serving as the team’s main offensive star.

The Saints are struggling with their running backs

Although Alvin Kamara is still regarded as one of the best running backs in the league, he has struggled to stay healthy enough to perform at the dominant level the team expects from him.

Entering Week 10, Kamara is listed as questionable due to an ankle injury. Audric Estime’s arrival is meant to provide depth at the position in case the starter continues to deal with health issues.

Kamara remains the RB1, with rookie Devin Neal as his backup. Estime now slots in as the third-string option, as Kendre Miller’s season ended on October 19 due to a knee injury.

The word “tanking” haunts the Saints

With a 1-8 record, the Saints’ chances of making the playoffs are virtually nonexistent. The team has endured a disappointing 2025 NFL season, and the word “tanking” seems to be looming larger than ever.

Many analysts believe the Saints should already be considering a rebuild in order to secure the No. 1 overall pick. However, the Tennessee Titans also sit at 1-8, meaning the battle for the league’s worst record — and the top draft selection — remains very much alive.

Having their top players available could be a key factor, and fortunately for Kellen Moore and the Saints, both Kamara and Shaheed are expected to play after being listed as questionable for this matchup.

The news was confirmed by NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, who shared the update on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, highlighting this important development for an offense that cannot afford any more setbacks for the remainder of the season.

“RB Alvin Kamara (ankle) and WR Rashid Shaheed (hip) are both listed as questionable and both are expected to play, sources say,” the insider reported via @RapSheet.

Two weapons for Shough

The Saints offense is at a critical juncture as rookie Tyler Shough prepares for his first NFL start. With him taking the New Orleans Saints’ QB1 role after Spencer Rattler’s benching, the pressure is squarely on proven playmakers like running back Alvin Kamara and explosive wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to become the rookie quarterback’s primary security blankets.

Kamara, despite dealing with a nagging ankle issue, needs to re-establish himself as a dynamic threat in both the run and short passing game to ease Shough‘s transition. Similarly, Shaheed, whose deep-play ability is a constant threat, must ensure consistency and reliability on intermediate routes.

Their ability to deliver high-volume, impactful performances will be paramount in giving the young signal-caller the support needed to stabilize a struggling Saints offense.

Thinking about what’s ahead

The New Orleans Saints are at a pivotal point in their 2025 campaign, and with the Week 11 bye looming, the immediate future is all about securing wins. The next two weeks are non-negotiable for an organization fighting to stay relevant, despite having turned to rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.

First up is a difficult road matchup against the surging Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, followed by a crucial divisional battle against the Carolina Panthers. With the NFC South still mathematically in reach, these two contests before the Week 11 break are absolutely critical.

Head Coach Kellen Moore must galvanize his squad to maximize the win total from this two-game stretch—even one victory would provide much-needed momentum and stability for Shough as they head into their week off, proving the team is fully committed to a win-now approach.

The Los Angeles Chargers lost their second consecutive game of the season against the Washington Commanders. More than that, they lost rookie running back Omarion Hampton to an ankle injury. He was placed on IR on Monday, meaning he will be out of action for at least four games.

Both situations could combine for a trade in which a Saints star moves to Southern California to play under Jim Harbaugh.

Alvin Kamara linked with move to Chargers

Drew Bishop of The Sporting News sees a path for Alvin Kamara to end up playing with the Chargers as the veteran running back, especially while Hampton recovers. After losing Najee Harris for the season, they could use Kamara’s experience.

“Kamara would provide leadership and another look in the Chargers’ backfield especially if they make the playoffs,” Bishop wrote. “He would also be another receiver for QB Justin Herbert to target in the flat and over the middle. Right now the Chargers’ backups are Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal. That’s not going to cut it if they want to compete for a Super Bowl. Kamara could be the missing piece they need. The NFL trade deadline falls on November 4th so the Saints have time to shop Kamara and their other veterans to get the best offer. If the veteran running back is truly on the market you can expect plenty of suitors calling in to New Orleans and maybe one will make a deal.”

In five games, Kamara has recorded 73 carries for 283 yards and one touchdown with the Saints. He has been the heart and soul of the offense more than once, but it might be time for him to look for a new challenge.