Audric

Estime

It wasn’t an overly impressive day for Estime, who was on the Vikings’ practice squad earlier in the week. But in the fourth quarter, with the Browns trailing 10-3, Estime took back-to-back carries for six yards, with his second resulting in a two-yard touchdown that would tie the game with just over eight minutes left in regulation. Estime could see a similar role in next week’s game against the Titans if Quinshon Judkins (ankle) misses another game, but he’ll be hard to trust as far as fantasy is concerned.

Estime’s signing comes as Quinshon Judkins is dealing with an ankle injury he suffered in Week 5. Estime, who is only 23 years old, already feels like an NFL journeyman as he now heads to his fifth team in three seasons after brief stints with the Broncos, Eagles, Saints, and Vikings. The former fifth-round pick has rushed for 508 yards and three touchdowns in his career and rushed for 76-310-2 as a rookie with the Broncos. Estime could see snaps in Week 6 against the Ravens if Judkins is unable to play, but we wouldn’t expect to see anything close to a meaningful workload at this time.

The team signed long snapper Cal Adomitis and reached an injury settlement with running back Audric Estime in corresponding moves. Banks is undergoing surgery for a severe high-ankle sprain. He could return later this year, but the team will be without their starting left tackle for at least four games, and likely much longer.

Kamara logged two limited sessions to begin the week, and New Orleans Football’s Nick Underhill said he thinks Kamara will play, barring a setback. We do not yet know Kamara’s practice participation level on Friday, but he is traveling with the team, which is a good sign. Kamara would be a PPR FLEX if active. He is expected to play on passing downs while starting RB Travis Etienne leads the team in carries. Etienne is the best bet to handle the primary red zone role, but Kamara has been a prolific touchdown scorer over his career and could factor in. The Saints ruled out RB Audric Estime (thigh).

The Saints’ backup running back statuses continue to change. Veteran No. 2 RB Alvin Kamara (knee) is expected to be sidelined for at least one month, and RB Audric Estime is now sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Miller and RB Devin Neal (hamstring) both returned this week, though. Beat reporter Jeff Nowak notes that Miller, Neal and RB Ty Chandler were all allowed to rotate in for first-team reps today, as coach Kellen Moore presumably seeks out a viable primary backup for starting RB Travis Etienne. Per Nowak, Miller “looks sharp despite the time missed.” This is worth tracking for short-term bench stash purposes.

The good news is that Miller was not listed with a knee injury after suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 7 last year. The bad news is that he evidently has a new injury, and the Saints have a fairly deep running back room right now. RBs Devin Neal, Audric Estime, Ty Chandler and CJ Donaldson are all vying for roster spots. Per Underhill, Neal is taking advantage of the extra reps. He could have the inside track to the RB3 role right now.

Playing out the string for the Saints’ injury-ruined backfield, Estime reached 100 yards from scrimmage for the first time in his career after posting 98 the week before. Not a bad end to the year for a player who spent the first half of the season on practice squads. Still only 22 years old, Estime is buying himself time to get established in the NFL, but he still probably mostly profiles as a special teamer if he’s going to make a 53-man roster out of camp. Considering the Saints’ issues at running back, it could very well be in New Orleans.

The team opted not to place Kamara on injured reserve, though he has been sidelined since Week 12. Unless something drastic occurs, Saints RB Audric Estime will start in Kamara’s stead against the Falcons on Sunday. Both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs, but it still gives coaches a chance to evaluate key players one last time.

Kamara has neither practiced nor played since spraining his MCL in Week 12. He was already dealing with an ankle injury at that time. We expect him to remain sidelined in Week 18 against the Falcons. Saints RB Audric Estime will again operate as the team’s starter.

Estime ceded the first carry of the day to Taysom Hill. After Hill easily out-carried him last week, it looked like that would be the case again versus Tennessee. The Saints quickly threw in the towel on Hill and handed the backfield over to Estime. He punctuated a solid day with a 32-yard sprint into the end zone in the fourth quarter. The touchdown gave New Orleans an eight-point lead that Tennessee never erased. Estime should hold this role into Week 18, giving him some RB2 juice versus the Falcons.