Should I Start Travis Etienne Jr.?

Wednesday, November 11, 12:02 PM

New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) was back at practice on Wednesday and looked pretty active, according to Saints reporter Jeff Nowak. Nowak expects Etienne to be listed as limited when Wednesday's report comes out. Etienne remains on Injured Reserve and has not played since the team's Week 3 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, but he is getting closer to a return and could be activated in time to face the division-rival Carolina Panthers this Sunday if he does enough in practice this week. The 27-year-old was signed in the offseason to be the Saints' primary backfield option while ceding pass-catching duties to Alvin Kamara. Fantasy managers who scooped up Audric Estime off the waiver wire this week might be disappointed if Etienne makes his return this weekend, although the former first-rounder could be limited to a smaller package of plays after his injury layoff. Etienne is shaping up as an RB3/flex option for fantasy managers if he is back in the fold against Carolina. In his first three games with the Saints, he handled 30 carries for 128 yards (4.3 yards per attempt) while catching 11 of 13 targets for 51 yards in the passing game. Etienne is still searching for his first touchdown with New Orleans.