New Orleans Saints feature Travis Etienne Jr. as lead back for season

The New Orleans Saints prepare for their September 13 season opener against the Detroit Lions with Travis Etienne Jr. set to handle a primary role in the backfield. The team signed the 27-year-old running back to a four-year, $48 million contract during the offseason as a priority acquisition. Head coach Kellen Moore plans to utilize the Louisiana native as the featured runner, moving him into a system designed to improve the team's rushing performance. Etienne joins a rotation that includes Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller, though expectations remain for him to take the majority of the carries. The former Clemson standout enters his fifth professional season following a year where he recorded 1,107 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Saints travel to Detroit to begin the 2026 campaign.

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