Etienne (hamstring) LP again, Miller (illness) DNP

Assuming all goes well, he’ll likely be elevated to be Javonte Williams’ backup this week. Dallas also has Israel Abanikanda and Jashaun Corbin as runners on the practice squad, so one of them may also get the first crack at being Williams’ backup as Tyler Goodson nurses a knee injury.

With Tyler Goodson dealing with a knee injury suffered late in Sunday’s game against the Colts, Miller could find himself in a backup role behind Javonte Williams.

The Saints added Audric Estime via waivers on Monday and he went on to lead the team in carries today. He saw 15 rushes plus one target. Estime also found the end zone after Kamara was tackled at the two-yard line. Kamara was the team’s primary back on passing downs, but his role between the tackles remained incredibly limited. With Travis Etienne potentially returning next week, his role could take another hit in Week 10. He remains a low-upside RB4 for his upcoming matchup with the Panthers.

The team brought back Audric Estime to their practice squad earlier in the week, releasing Miller Saturday. The moved comes after the veteran played 137 offensive snaps for a backfield missing its top option for most of the season. Miller had a 20-carry game for the Saints three short weeks ago and now finds himself without a home. Expect him to land on a practice squad in short order.

Kamara was limited due to rest and a back injury, but unsurprisingly, he’ll be good to go for Sunday’s contest against the Browns. The Saints’ run game is a disaster, but Kamara should be involved enough in the pass game to make him a decent FLEX play for that contest.

The way the team listed Kamara indicates that the back injury will not keep him from playing, but he is clearly still hurt. Kamara has been entirely ineffective this season and can only be viewed as a touchdown-dependent FLEX. CJ Donaldson (concussion/shoulder) was unable to practice today.

Donaldson aggravated a shoulder injury in Week 7 against the Steelers and did not return. He also entered the league’s concussion protocol after the game. A limited session today means he’s making progress on both fronts. He should be good to go for Week 9. The same is true of Alvin Kamara, who got a rest day today, despite his back injury also being noted on the report. Both backs will mix in behind Kendre Miller on Sunday.

Etienne hasn’t played since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3 against the Raiders. The 27-year-old back will need to have his 21-day return window opened before he can take the practice field, so we’ll see if Moore and the staff elect to designate him for a return ahead of Wednesday’s practice. Until that happens, Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and CJ Donaldson will continue to operate as the Saints’ top options, with Kamara the likely leader in what has been an underwhelming backfield this season.

Tyler Shough ended up leading the Saints with seven rushing yards. Yikes. Kamara was effective as a receiver out of the backfield, but to say that New Orleans struggled to run the ball is quite the understatement as they finished with 18 yards on 17 attempts. The good news for fantasy managers that used Kamara is that he was effective out of the backfield as a receiver, but it’s a modest day for the 31-year-old. Kamara and the Saints will try and get something going after a bye against the Browns in Week 9.

Kamara was still listed as limited in Friday’s practice, but the Saints feel confident enough in his health to clear him for Week 7. Kamara found the end zone last week on a 31-yard reception, but has largely been inefficient with his touches this season. He seen 14 opportunities to Kendre Miller’s 30 over the last two weeks and will be hard to trust as anything more than a touchdown-dependent RB3 against the Steelers. The only players on the Saints carrying injury designations into the weekend are guard Cesar Ruiz (knee) and DL Nathan Sheperd (illness). Both are listed as questionable.