The New Orleans Saints’ roster has already been plagued by some unfortunate injuries just four weeks into the season. In Sunday’s loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, running back Travis Etienne Jr. suffered a hamstring injury that could sideline him for some time.
With Etienne potentially out, the Saints could now be looking for another running back to help fill his role in the offense.
And in what you could call the worst possible timing for New Orleans, the Minnesota Vikings have signed two former Saints
running backs, Devin Neal and Audric Estime, to their practice squad.
Both Neal and Estime were with the Saints earlier this season before injuries led to their departures.
Neal was selected by New Orleans in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after a productive career at Kansas. As a rookie, he appeared in 10 games for the Saints, rushing 57 times for 206 yards and two touchdowns while adding 17 receptions for 104 yards. Neal entered his second year with an opportunity to compete for a larger role in the backfield but was hampered by a hamstring injury. He was placed on injured reserve during final roster cuts before the Saints reached an injury settlement with him Sept. 3.
A fifth-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2024, Estime joined the Saints during the 2025 season and appeared in seven games for New Orleans, rushing for 198 yards and a touchdown on 46 carries. He scored a touchdown in the Saints’ 2026 preseason opener before suffering a thigh injury. Estime was eventually placed on injured reserve Sept. 12 and waived with an injury settlement last week.
Now both backs have landed in Minnesota while the Saints suddenly find themselves needing additional help in the backfield.
Adding another layer to the timing, the Saints will host the Vikings in Week 5, meaning Neal and Estime could be playing against New Orleans not long after joining their new team.
