CJ Donaldson (shoulder) cleared for backup duties

The pass-protecting back looks likely to continue to mix in and limit snaps for the fantasy-valuable members of the backfield in Week 7.

A limited practice to start the week is usually maintenance. Donaldson looked good last week, running for 39 yards on six attempts, though he did commit one fumble. Donaldson is one of three backs seeing work for the Saints, and none of them have made a strong case to get more touches. Donaldson is a weak FLEX option for Week 7.

A messy Saints committee backfield had Donaldson get the second-most snaps among New Orleans running backs against the Giants. He and Alvin Kamara were the passing-down backs while Donaldson also had a 17-yard run, the longest run by a Saints running back on the day. His first-career touchdown was called back in the third quarter after he was ruled down just shy of the goal line. The 22-year-old rookie has had a surprisingly high utilization early in the season and will continue to be involved while Travis Etienne is out. Despite this, his fantasy impact will mainly be to dilute Kamara and Kendre Miller’s fantasy values. Donaldson should only be rostered in the deepest of leagues heading into Week 7.

Alvin Kamara entered this game with a back injury and played just eight snaps in the second half, freeing up some extra work for Donaldson. He led the team in snaps, but Kendre Miller was the top option between the tackles, seeing 10 carries, one of which went for a touchdown. Even if Kamara remains on the injury report for Week 6, Donaldson won’t crack the FLEX rankings versus the Giants.

Kamara briefly left the Saints’ Week 4 game against the Falcons to deal with a knee injury. Today, he is sidelined by a back injury. It’s perhaps unsurprising for a 31-year-old player who has clearly lost a step at this point in his career. He is backed up by Kendre Miller and CJ Donaldson. Either player can be stashed in 12-team formats.

This is a tough break. The Saints’ high-priced free agent signee will be sidelined for at least four games. Their Week 8 bye makes him eligible to return in Week 9. Veteran RB Alvin Kamara is the next man up, followed by RB Kendre Miller. Both should be rostered in 12-team leagues. Kamara will likely get the first crack at the starting job, but he has struggled to play efficiently this season, and coach Kellen Moore gave RB CJ Donaldson the backfield’s first green zone touch last week.

Etienne entered the game with a hamstring injury and appears to have aggravated it on an explosive run. The Saints’ starting running back broke off a 16-yard gain in the third quarter, setting up a Saints passing touchdown on the following play. Etienne could be seen grabbing at his left hamstring at the end of the run. He had mostly been limited to modest single-digit gains before that, rushing 13 times for 57 yards and catching 2-of-2 targets for 13 yards on the day. He seems highly unlikely to return. Etienne and the other veteran running backs notably ceded the first backfield touch inside the green zone to RB CJ Donaldson.

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.

Donaldson (6’2”/230) burst on the scene as a true freshman at West Virginia, rushing for 87-526-6 in seven games before a leg injury ended his season. Donaldson was recruited as a three-star tight end before moving to RB during training camp and quickly cemented himself as the starter for the Mountaineers. He rushed for 421-2,058-30 in three seasons before transferring to Ohio State last season. With the Buckeyes, Donaldson managed just 96 carries in 13 games, rushing for 361 yards and 10 scores while averaging a paltry 3.8 YPC. Despite his prowess as a former tight end, Donaldson has never been much of a factor in the passing game, catching just 47 passes for 286 yards in four seasons. Despite his size, Donaldson struggled mightily after contact, posting a 2.99 yards after contact per attempt for his career, and averaging 2.92 YCO/ATT or less in each of his final three seasons. He totaled just 24 carries of 15 or more yards in his career, and may not have much to offer outside of a short-yardage/goal-line role. His larger body of work leaves much to be desired. He’ll need a strong camp if he hopes to stick on the end of a roster. The Saints also signed DT Keeshawn Silver.