New Orleans Saints News

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Travis Etienne Jr. • RB • Saints

Travis Etienne Jr. Exits Sunday's Game with Hamstring Injury

New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) exited Sunday's contest early with an apparent hamstring injury, according to Jeff Nowak of Audacy Sports. The running back was dealing with a hamstring injury leading up to Sunday's contest and appears to have aggravated it in the third quarter. Nowak noted that Etienne was seen heading to the locker room. Before exiting, Etienne took 13 carries for 57 yards and caught both of his targets for another 13. While sidelined, managers should expect Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and CJ Donaldson to take most of the carries out of the backfield.

14 hours ago

Devaughn Vele • WR • Saints

Devaughn Vele Offers a Reasonable Flex Case in Week 3

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele has done enough through two games to stay in the Week 3 flex conversation against Las Vegas. Vele has caught 12 of 16 targets for 133 yards and a touchdown, topping 60 receiving yards in both games. That steady volume is the strongest part of his case, especially with Vele working as the No. 2 receiver behind Chris Olave while Jordyn Tyson remains sidelined. The matchup adds some hesitation. Las Vegas has allowed 412 passing yards and only one passing touchdown through two games while intercepting three passes, so another efficient afternoon is not guaranteed. Barion Brown is also out with a hamstring injury, which removes one more option from the rotation. Vele is healthy and sits at WR36 in RotoBaller's latest Week 3 rankings. He makes sense as a WR3 or flex for managers who value the target volume, while teams with a stronger alternative can reasonably take the safer route.

19 hours ago

Alvin Kamara • RB • Saints

Alvin Kamara Needs Receiving Work to Carry Week 3 Value

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara returned last week and immediately found work in the passing game, which is where most of his Week 3 appeal comes from. Kamara managed only 15 yards on nine carries against Baltimore but caught five of six targets for another seven yards. Travis Etienne Jr. actually played more snaps, although Kamara finished with 14 touches to Etienne's 10. Both backs are healthy heading into Sunday's matchup with Las Vegas, so another split should be expected. The Raiders have allowed 100.5 rushing yards per game and 4.0 yards per carry through two weeks, making this a fairly neutral matchup on the ground. Kamara's five catches in his season debut are much more encouraging for PPR managers than the rushing numbers. The latest RotoBaller PPR rankings place him at RB46 for Week 3. He can work as a deeper flex, but the receiving role needs to stay busy if he is going to overcome the committee and limited rushing production.

Yesterday

Juwan Johnson • TE • Saints

Juwan Johnson Profiles as a Low-End TE1 Option in Week 3

Across two games in 2026, New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson has recorded seven catches for 120 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. Johnson has established himself as the Saints' TE1 and appears to have developed a strong rapport with Saints quarterback Tyler Shough. Across his last five games dating back to Week 16 of the 2025 season, Johnson is averaging 12.9 PPR fantasy points per contest. In Week 3, the Saints will take on a Las Vegas Raiders defense that has allowed just one passing touchdown this season and currently ranks 10th in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (412). Still, New Orleans looks like one of the better passing offenses in the league early in the year, and Johnson has a clear role as a target in the middle of the field and in the red zone. In Week 3 against the Raiders, Johnson profiles as a low-end top-12 tight end option for fantasy managers.

Yesterday

Devaughn Vele • WR • Saints

Devaughn Vele Looking to Continue Hot Start to 2026 in Week 3

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele has been a steady producer for fantasy managers to open 2026, recording 12 catches for 133 yards and a touchdown on 16 targets across two games. With Saints rookie wideout Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) currently on Injured Reserve, Vele is locked in as the WR2 in New Orleans alongside Chris Olave. In Week 3, the Saints will take on a Las Vegas Raiders defense that has allowed just one passing touchdown this season and currently ranks 10th in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (412). However, the Saints have fielded a high-volume passing attack this season, which is consistent with head coach Kellen Moore's history as an NFL play-caller. As long as that trend continues on Sunday, Vele should see his fair share of targets. In Week 3 against Las Vegas, Vele profiles as a low-end WR3/flex option for fantasy managers.

Yesterday

Chris Olave • WR • Saints

Chris Olave Remains a High-End WR1 Option in Week 3

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has gotten off to an excellent start to the 2026 season, catching 18 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown on 23 targets in his first two games. The 26-year-old has established himself as the clear number one option in a Saints passing game that is ascending in quarterback Tyler Shough's first full season as the starter. In Week 3, Olave and the Saints will take on the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders have defended well against the pass so far, giving up just one passing touchdown and ranking 10th in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (412). However, the Saints have attempted the second-most passes in the league through two weeks. If New Orleans continues to operate with a pass-heavy game script, Olave is a lock to see a high volume of targets and a good bet to produce for fantasy managers. In Week 3 against Las Vegas, Olave remains a solid fantasy WR1.

Yesterday

Travis Etienne Jr. • RB • Saints

Travis Etienne Jr. Remains in Split Backfield Heading Into Week 3

New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. carried the ball just eight times for 25 yards and added two receptions for six yards in Week 2's victory over the Ravens. The lack of production and usage coincided with the return of fellow running back Alvin Kamara, who, despite playing fewer snaps (37-20), out-touched Etienne Jr. 14-10. He now faces a Raiders defense that is giving up 100.5 rushing yards per game and has only allowed a running back to score once through two weeks. Head coach Kellen Moore seems content with a split backfield, which does not bode well for fantasy managers. Until he can separate himself as the clear featured back, he should be viewed as more of a low-end RB2 or FLEX option.

2 days ago

Tyler Shough • QB • Saints

Tyler Shough Emerging as a Weekly QB1 Option

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough completed 27-of-34 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown in Week 2's 24-17 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. Shough orchestrated the offense beautifully, adding an additional nine carries for 23 yards and another score. Through two weeks, Shough has a league-high 662 passing yards, four touchdowns, and a 68.9% completion rate, and comes in as QB5 in fantasy. He faces a Raiders defense that has allowed the 9th-fewest points to opposing quarterbacks, including just one passing touchdown while forcing three interceptions through two games. Shough is playing with plenty of confidence, and the momentum he has gained to start the season lands him as QB10 on RotoBaller's rankings for Week 3.

2 days ago

Travis Etienne Jr. • RB • Saints

Travis Etienne Jr. Good to Go for Week 3

New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring), who was listed as limited in Thursday's practice with a hamstring injury, is good to go for this weekend in a Week 3 matchup against the visiting Las Vegas Raiders, according to Ross Jackson of Locked On Saints. It is good news for the Saints' offense, but Etienne's fantasy stock is down entering the third week of the season, especially since veteran Alvin Kamara made his season debut in last week's win over the Baltimore Ravens. The 27-year-old Etienne has combined for only 17 carries for 71 yards in his first two games with the Saints, adding nine catches on 11 targets for 38 yards in the passing game. He had seven receptions for 32 yards in the season-opening overtime loss to the Detroit Lions, but with Kamara returning last weekend, Etienne only caught two passes on two targets. Going up against a much-improved Raiders defense this Sunday, Etienne has slipped to RB3/flex territory, with Kamara most likely to continue seeing most of the passing-game work in the Saints' offense.

2 days ago

Travis Etienne Jr. • RB • Saints

Travis Etienne Jr. Remains Limited in Practice on Thursday

New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) was limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday, per Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. Etienne has gotten off to an underwhelming start to his first season in New Orleans, recording 109 scrimmage yards and zero touchdowns on 26 touches across two games. While the exact nature of Etienne's hamstring issue is not yet clear, he will need to log a full practice on Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into his team's Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. If Etienne is unable to play in Las Vegas, Saints RB2 Alvin Kamara could take over as the team's lead back. Even if Etienne Jr. is active, fantasy managers may want to downgrade expectations given his slow start and current injury concerns.

3 days ago

Chris Olave • WR • Saints

Chris Olave Among the Elite Tier of Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave has emerged as one of the most elite fantasy contributors through the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL season. Olave has at least 22.8 PPR points in each of the two games. With a total of 18 catches, 268 yards, and one touchdown, he ranks as the overall WR3 in PPR leagues so far. We've seen Olave deliver high-level fantasy production in a variety of ways, including high volume, high yardage totals, and touchdown upside. That's good news for fantasy managers, because he's not dependent on one specific stat (catches, yards, or touchdowns) to carry his entire fantasy stock. The Saints' passing attack looks really good this year, and Olave is the focal point of that unit. He continues to rank as a mid-to-high WR1 heading into a very favorable matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.

4 days ago

Travis Etienne Jr. • RB • Saints

Travis Etienne Jr. Limited on Wednesday With Hamstring Injury

New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, according to Saints reporter Jeff Nowak. Etienne had to deal with the return of veteran Alvin Kamara in last week's upset win over the Baltimore Ravens, and now he is dealing with an injury issue going into a home Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Through his first two games with the Saints, Etienne has not really excited his fantasy managers, carrying the ball 17 times for 71 yards while catching nine of his 11 targets for 38 yards through the air. Kamara's return definitely lowers Etienne's fantasy ceiling, but when healthy, he should see the majority of backfield touches this season. If Etienne does not improve this week or upgrade to a full practice, Kamara could become a must-start in fantasy lineups as an RB2 against the Raiders if Etienne does not play. Etienne being inactive this weekend would also thrust Kendre Miller back onto the game-day roster after he was a healthy scratch in Week 2. We will continue to monitor Kamara's status the rest of the week.

4 days ago

Tyler Shough • QB • Saints

Tyler Shough Is Making Himself Hard to Leave on Waivers

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough backed up his huge opener with another strong fantasy game Sunday, completing 27 of 34 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown while adding 23 yards and a score on nine carries against Baltimore. He did not need another 410-yard afternoon to get there, either. Through two weeks, Shough leads the NFL with 90 passing attempts and 662 yards, and he has now accounted for five total touchdowns. That kind of workload is getting difficult to treat as a temporary streaming situation. Las Vegas has generated plenty of pressure early this season, but RotoBaller still lists Shough as a potential Week 3 boom and has him second among quarterbacks on its waiver rankings. He is still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues. Shough should be added in 12-team formats at this point, and managers searching for a quarterback should be comfortable holding him beyond just this week's matchup.

5 days ago

Kelvin Banks Jr. • OT • Saints

Kelvin Banks Jr. to Have Ankle Surgery, Out Indefinitely

New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. (ankle) suffered a severe high-ankle sprain in the Week 2 upset win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday and is expected to have surgery to fix it, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Banks is out indefinitely for the Saints going forward, and he could eventually be placed on Injured Reserve if the Saints think he will miss at least four games. It is a major blow for New Orleans' offensive line, as Banks is one of the team's top young offensive tackles. The good news is that, barring a setback after surgery, Banks will have a chance to return later this season. Banks has been operating as the team's starting left tackle and blind-side protector for young quarterback Tyler Shough. With the 22-year-old now out for the foreseeable future, Asim Richards is expected to make the start at left tackle, beginning in Week 3 for a matchup at home against the 2-0 Las Vegas Raiders.

6 days ago

Devaughn Vele • WR • Saints

Devaughn Vele a Priority Waiver Add After Another Encouraging Outing

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele was targeted six more times in Sunday's win over the Ravens, collecting five receptions for 64 yards. With one Week 2 game still to be played, Vele sits as the fantasy WR18 on the season, and as long as rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) remains sidelined, the third-year veteran can be trusted to provide a usable floor. In Kellen Moore's up-tempo offense, quarterback Tyler Shough has attempted the second-most passes through two weeks and leads the league with 662 yards; along with Chris Olave and tight end Juwan Johnson, Vele is one of three New Orleans pass-catchers to top 50 receiving yards in both games this season. Vele was considered a priority add last week, so he may not be available in most leagues, but he should be scooped up wherever he remains unrostered.

6 days ago

Alvin Kamara • RB • Saints

Alvin Kamara's Pass-Catching Role Warrants Waiver-Wire Consideration

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara returned from injury and immediately became the team's most involved running back in Week 2. He had an ugly showing on the ground with nine carries for 15 rushing yards, but he made up for it by catching five of his six targets (albeit for just seven total receiving yards). The yardage and efficiency numbers were miserable, but Kamara did what he does best: catch a ton of passes. As long as he stays healthy, there's nothing stopping him from fetching five-plus targets every week going forward, especially as the Saints continue to show that they're not willing to give Travis Etienne Jr. a large workload. This Saints offense looks quite impressive, so there should be plenty of volume for Kamara and even some scoring opportunities. He has low-end RB3/flex appeal in PPR leagues for Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

6 days ago

Travis Etienne Jr. • RB • Saints

Travis Etienne Jr. has Disappointing Effort in Backfield Split vs. Ravens

New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne struggled to make an impact in Week 2 in his team's 24-17 victory against the host Baltimore Ravens. The 27-year-old offseason addition had just eight carries for 25 yards as he split first-team reps with veteran Alvin Kamara, who ended the day with nine carries for 15 yards. Second-year quarterback Tyler Shough, making his second start of the season, ran for 23 yards and had the Saints' only rushing touchdown on the day. The former Jaguar eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in three of his four seasons in Jacksonville, but it doesn't look like he can reach that level of production in the Big Easy if he is splitting time with Kamara down the stretch.

7 days ago

Kendre Miller • RB • Saints

Kendre Miller a Healthy Scratch With RB Returning for Saints

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller is a healthy inactive for the Week 2 game on the road against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, according to Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Miller actually saw nine carries for 30 yards and a touchdown in last week's season-opening overtime loss to the Detroit Lions alongside Travis Etienne Jr. in the Saints' backfield. However, with veteran Alvin Kamara returning from a knee injury that sidelined him in Week 1, the 24-year-old Miller falls back down the depth chart and will not play this weekend. Miller played only 32.2% of the offensive snaps in Detroit last weekend and will remain stuck as the Saints' RB3 going forward as long as both Etienne and Kamara stay healthy.

7 days ago

Chris Olave • WR • Saints

Chris Olave Officially Active for Week 2

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) is officially active for the Week 2 game on Sunday on the road against the Baltimore Ravens, according to Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Olave was removed from practice early this week as a precaution due to a hamstring injury, but he returned on Friday and will play this weekend. Fantasy managers will want to keep the Saints' WR1 locked into their starting lineups, even against a tough Ravens defense in their home opener. In the Week 1 season-opening overtime loss to the Detroit Lions on the road, the former first-rounder caught 10 of his 13 targets for 182 yards. Olave has developed excellent chemistry with young quarterback Tyler Shough and should once again be heavily targeted on Sunday, as long as he does not have a setback with his hamstring.

7 days ago

Travis Etienne Jr. • RB • Saints

Travis Etienne Jr. to Share First-Team Reps in Week 2

New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. is expected to split first-team reps with veteran Alvin Kamara in the Week 2 contest on the road against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, in the opinion of Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football. Kamara missed most of training camp this summer with an MCL sprain in his knee, and he also sat out the season-opening overtime loss to the Detroit Lions last Sunday, but he practiced in full this week and is ready to make his 2026 debut in Baltimore. Etienne had only nine carries for 46 yards last Sunday despite the Saints scoring 30 points, but he salvaged his day for fantasy managers by catching seven of his nine targets for 32 yards through the air. The 27-year-old was brought in as a free agent in the offseason to take over lead-back duties in the Big Easy, but Kamara's presence in the backfield will limit Etienne's overall ceiling, especially as a pass-catcher. In Kamara's return this weekend, fantasy managers should have Etienne on the RB2/3 borderline.

7 days ago

New Orleans Saints News

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