Saints offense gets a lift with Travis Etienne set to be activated

New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Saints offense gets a lift with Travis Etienne set to be activated

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Nov 14, 2026 12:17 PM ET

Entering the 2026-27 NFL season, the New Orleans Saints were believed by many to be a real threat to secure their first NFC South Championship since 2020.

A slow start combined with key injuries caused New Orleans to start the season 3-5, and it seemed like it would be another year without a division title. That may not be true, though, as the Saints just so happen to play in what has been a disastrous division this season.

New Orleans will enter Week 10 tied for first place with the Carolina Panthers, and it is getting a major boost to its offense for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Saints' Travis Etienne is set to return from IR

According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Saints running back Travis Etienne is expected to be activated from IR and return to the field Sunday against Carolina.

Etienne suffered a hamstring injury in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders that has kept him out of action. It will be a major boost for a New Orleans offense that ranks 20th in total yards per game (325.8) and 26th in rushing yards per game (95.3).

Etienne struggled to get going in the first few games with his new team, rushing for just 128 yards with no touchdowns through three weeks.

The Saints plan to activate RB Travis Etienne Jr. from injured reserve today, putting him in line to return to action Sunday vs. the Panthers, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 14, 2026

Do the Saints have enough firepower to win the NFC South?

As noted above, all four teams in the NFC South have struggled to get going and find their footing so far this season. That has caused the division to be far from decided with the second half of the season ahead.

A returning Etienne will be massive for the Saints as they certainly view him in high regard. That was shown by the four-year, $48 million contract Etienne received from New Orleans in free agency.

Week 10 will be the healthiest that New Orleans has been for a game this season, and it'll have a chance to prove itself against a Panthers team that, via tiebreaker, is first in the division.

A win on Sunday would put the Saints in first place, and they'd control their own destiny for the remainder of the season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

More must-reads: