Who Should I Start? Travis Etienne Jr. or James Cook III


Week 9 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Travis Etienne Jr. News

Travis Etienne Jr. Could Return to Practice This Week

Monday, November 2, 7:33 AM

New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) will be looked at on Monday with the intent of judging whether or not he will have a chance to return to practice on Wednesday, head coach Kellen Moore told Ross Jackson of Locked on Saints. Etienne is eligible to return from Injured Reserve this week after straining his left hamstring in the loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 27. The 27-year-old had an extra week to recover during the team's bye in Week 8, so he might be back in action this weekend as the team takes on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Fantasy managers need to be mindful that even if Etienne has his 21-day practice window opened this week, it does not necessarily mean he will return to New Orleans' backfield this weekend to take on the Browns. When Etienne does return and is back to full health, he is expected to take over lead-back duties from veteran Alvin Kamara, at least on early downs. The former first-rounder by the Jacksonville Jaguars had 30 carries for 128 yards (4.3 yards per attempt) and no touchdowns, adding 11 catches for 51 yards as a receiver in his first three games with the Saints this year before landing on IR.


Week 9 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
17.2 92.7 0.7 1.8 15.1 0.1

James Cook III News

James Cook III Furthers Touchdown Streak in Week 8 Win

Sunday, November 1, 4:58 PM

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III put together yet another productive game in his team's 36-10 Week 8 win over the Baltimore Ravens, recording 101 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 23 touches. Cook III is in the midst of an excellent season in 2026, logging 707 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 138 carries. The 27-year-old has scored at least one touchdown in six consecutive games, and he's topped 100 yards from scrimmage in five out of those six outings. Between his own production and the dominant Bills offense's ability to consistently move the ball up and down the field, Cook III profiles as an elite running back option for fantasy managers.


Travis Etienne Jr. vs. James Cook III

Still trying to decide between Etienne Jr. and Cook III? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Travis Etienne Jr. is projected to score 0.0 points this week while James Cook III is projected to score 17.2 points.