However, Etienne started the season slowly, even with Kamara sidelined. Early on, Kendre Miller stood out more prominently in the rushing attempts. In the Saints’ first seven carries, Miller secured four, while Etienne totaled only single-digit yards on his early touches. Miller finished the early series with four carries for 18 yards, a modest but meaningful contrast to Etienne’s limited production.
This dip in Etienne’s early output wasn’t tied to a specific issue. The Saints’ offense as a whole had trouble moving the ball, with quarterback Tyler Shough completing only about a third of his passes. New Orleans was stalling offensively, giving Miller more opportunities to contribute on the ground during drives where the team was more efficient.
Still, this development didn’t indicate a permanent setback for Etienne. On the official or near-official depth charts, Etienne remained the top running back in the room. When Kamara was healthy, the pair were listed as the first-string backs, with an “OR” indicating the shared or alternate designation. Miller’s elevated role in Week 1 came as a result of Kamara’s absence, placing him behind Etienne and Kamara on the depth chart but ahead of other backs for that game. Undrafted rookie CJ Donaldson was active and saw his own early carry to ease into the game flow.
Moving forward, the Saints’ offensive success could significantly affect how their backfield rotates. If the passing game struggles to draw defensive attention or threaten the defense, the running backs may face a stacked box or limited running lanes, reducing the overall effectiveness of the rushing attack. In the early part of the season, New Orleans hadn’t established a potent passing attack to keep defenses honest, which can limit any ground-game upside for even the most talented backs.
Key takeaways:
– Kamara was out, prompting expectations for Etienne to carry the load.
– Etienne started slowly; Miller showed more early efficiency.
– The Saints’ overall offense struggled to move the ball through the air, which can impact the effectiveness of the backfield.
– Miller’s early involvement doesn’t necessarily signal a long-term shift; Etienne remains the top option unless the offense establishes a stronger passing threat.
