by Niles Carpenter/Saints Contributor

The New Orleans Saints find themselves in a precarious situation in their running back department, and the situation may have taken a turn for the worse. During Monday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, running back Jamaal Williams was forced to leave the field and head to the locker room, casting a shadow over the Saints’ already thin running back corps.

Williams’s injury saga began when he was initially ushered into the blue medical tent, raising concerns among Saints fans. It was later confirmed that the cause for concern was a hamstring injury, and the Saints announced him as “questionable” for a return. However, as the game progressed, his status took a more pessimistic turn, with the team changing it to “doubtful” towards the end of the third quarter.

This untimely setback compounds the Saints’ running back issues, as they are already without the services of star running back Alvin Kamara, who is serving a three-game suspension. Additionally, third-round rookie Kendre Miller, who was expected to share the early-season workload with Williams, has been sidelined in 2023 due to his own hamstring injury. Adding to the woes, RB Kirk Merritt was inactive for Monday’s game against the Panthers due to a coach’s decision.

Merritt, who saw just two offensive snaps in Week 1, was left entirely on the sidelines for Week 2, further depleting the Saints’ running back options.

As a result of this unfortunate series of events, Tony Jones Jr., who was elevated from the Saints’ practice squad just before the game, now stands as the sole remaining running back on the New Orleans roster. Jones ran 12 times for 34 yards with two touchdowns and was directly responsible for the Saints Monday night win.

While Alvin Kamara’s return is eagerly anticipated in Week 4, the Saints face a pressing situation for next Sunday if Jamaal Williams remains sidelined. This situation may force New Orleans to explore their options and potentially add another running back to their roster, depending on the progress of Kendre Miller’s recovery. As it stands, Jones and Jordan Mims are the only running backs on the club’s practice squad.

In the Monday night game against the Panthers, versatile quarterback Taysom Hill stepped up to help fill the void. Hill contributed significantly, completing his only pass attempt for eight yards, rushing nine times for 75 yards, and catching one of two targets for a loss of one yard. His agility and adaptability were instrumental in the Saints’ 20-17 victory, especially given the departure of Jamaal Williams due to his hamstring issue.

With Alvin Kamara still serving his suspension and the availability of both Williams and Kendre Miller uncertain due to their hamstring injuries, Taysom Hill may find himself playing a pivotal role in New Orleans’ running game once again in Week 3, when they face the Green Bay Packers.

Additionally, with the running back situation in flux, the Saints may consider exploring the free agent market. Some notable running backs currently available include Kareem Hunt, J.D. McKissic, Trey Sermon, and Leonard Fournette, giving the Saints options to bolster their backfield as they navigate this challenging period.