What happened: New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. said he hopes to play Sunday as he works back from a hamstring injury. Etienne returned to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday while designated to return from injured reserve.
Why it matters: The Saints sit at 3-5 through eight games, holding the 12th seed in the NFC after a 23-22 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Regaining their primary backfield option offers crucial offensive stability as New Orleans works to remain in the postseason picture.
By the numbers: Etienne has run 30 times for 128 yards in 2026 through 3 games.
What to watch: The Saints will determine Etienne's official game status following Friday's final injury report.