NEW ORLEANS — The Saints reshaped their roster Thursday, October 1, placing running back Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve, promoting wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. and adding running back Ulysses Bentley IV and edge rusher David Ojabo to the practice squad. The moves leave New Orleans preparing for Atlanta with a different backfield and additional defensive depth. For a team trying to rebound from its loss to Las Vegas, the immediate challenge is turning those options into dependable help.

The Saints’ official transaction announcement confirmed all four moves.

Thursday’s Saints Roster Moves

Player	Position	Move
Travis Etienne Jr.	Running back	Placed on injured reserve
Kevin Austin Jr.	Wide receiver	Signed to active roster from practice squad
Ulysses Bentley IV	Running back	Signed to practice squad
David Ojabo	Edge rusher	Signed to practice squad

Etienne’s Absence Changes the Backfield

Etienne’s hamstring injury against the Raiders has become an extended absence. His placement on injured reserve means he must miss at least four games; that minimum does not establish an exact recovery date.

Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and CJ Donaldson remain the active-roster options. Zamir White and Bentley provide additional depth on the practice squad, according to the team’s Thursday backfield update.

Coach Kellen Moore expressed confidence in the remaining group: “I think Alvin and Kendre will handle that load really well.”

The workload now needs a clear plan. Kamara can supply experience and receiving versatility, while Miller has an opportunity to earn more responsibility. Donaldson’s work in short-yardage situations and pass protection gives the staff another way to distribute snaps.

The Saints should judge that rotation by whether it keeps the offense moving: productive early-down carries, secure exchanges and reliable protection for Tyler Shough. More touches alone will not solve those needs.

Our earlier breakdown of the Saints’ backfield options explains the roles Kamara, Miller, Donaldson and White could fill.

Bentley Gives New Orleans Another Option

Bentley joins after spending time with Indianapolis. The former Ole Miss back appeared in one NFL game as a rookie and rushed for 1,032 yards and 13 touchdowns across his three seasons with the Rebels.

His arrival gives the Saints another player to evaluate while Etienne recovers. The next questions are practical: How quickly can he learn the offense? Can he handle protection assignments? Can he contribute when a specific situation calls for him?

Joining the practice squad gives Bentley an opportunity to answer those questions. A game-day role would require an elevation or another roster move.

Ojabo Adds Depth to an Injured Edge Group

Ojabo was Baltimore’s second-round selection in 2022. He recorded 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 32 games over four seasons with the Ravens.

His addition comes with two Saints edge rushers dealing with injuries. Carl Granderson missed Thursday’s practice with an ankle issue, while Anfernee Jennings sat out with a knee injury, according to the official injury report.

That context makes extra depth useful, although Thursday’s practice status does not settle either player’s availability for Monday.

For Ojabo, the opportunity is to show he can execute a defined assignment in Brandon Staley’s defense. New Orleans needs dependable snaps from its reserves as well as pressure from its starters. His practice-squad signing provides another option as the week develops.

Austin’s Promotion Keeps a Familiar Receiver Available

Austin has already been elevated for each of the Saints’ first three games this season. His promotion also fits the NFL’s standard elevation rules, which require an active-roster signing for further appearances after three regular-season elevations.

The Saints can now keep him available without another temporary call-up. That matters with receiver and returner Barion Brown limited Thursday by a hamstring injury.

Austin has one catch for seven yards this season. His value will depend on executing his assignments and contributing when called upon; the promotion itself does not establish a larger share of the passing game.

What the Moves Mean Before Atlanta

Thursday’s changes address depth, but the Saints still have to improve their execution. As our Raiders takeaways detailed, protecting the football and finishing possessions remain central concerns.

Without Etienne, the offense needs the remaining backs to make their opportunities count. The defense must also prepare for different combinations if its injured players cannot go. The coming practices and final injury designations will help determine which reserves are needed.

The Saints host the Falcons at Caesars Superdome on Monday, October 5, at 7:15 p.m. Central. Thursday supplied more options. Monday will test how well New Orleans uses them.

Reporting Sources

• Saints’ October 1 transaction announcement
• Saints’ October 1 backfield reporting and Moore’s comments
• Saints’ Thursday Week 4 injury report
• NFL’s October 1 updates, including Etienne’s minimum absence
• NFL Football Operations roster and elevation rules
• Saints’ official Falcons game information
• Kevin Austin Jr.’s official statistics