NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 10: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Caesars Superdome on November 10, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ella Hall/Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - AUGUST 13: Travis Etienne Jr. #3 of the New Orleans Saints participates in drills during a joint practice at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) Getty
The New Orleans Saints ' running back situation continues to get thinner.
Saints running back Ty Chandler suffered a knee injury during Saturday's preseason matchup with the Los Angeles Rams , and the injury is now feared to be more serious than initially expected, according to a report from Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
Chandler's injury is a significant concern for the Saints as they evaluate their running back depth heading into the regular season. Chandler had been making a strong impression in his first preseason with New Orleans. The former Vikings fifth-round pick even provided one of the highlights of the Saints' preseason opener with an 86-yard kickoff return.
Chandler began his career with the Vikings as a 2022 fifth-round pick. Chandler appeared in 40 games for the Vikings in 4 seasons. His totals include 710 yards and three touchdowns on 181 carries, while adding 30 receptions for 212 yards. He signed with New Orleans this year in March.
Now, his potential absence creates another problem for a Saints running back room that was already dealing with a major injury.
GettyNEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 10: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Caesars Superdome on November 10, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ella Hall/Getty Images)
The Saints are also without veteran running back Alvin Kamara, who suffered an MCL sprain during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys .
Kamara is expected to miss at least a month, putting his availability for the beginning of the regular season in question.
Alvin Kamara 's injury was already forcing New Orleans to lean more heavily on its other running backs. With Chandler now dealing with a potentially significant knee injury, the Saints have lost another experienced option.
The team signed former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. to a 4-year contract during the offseason, and he is now positioned to shoulder an even larger workload.
Behind Etienne, however, the Saints' depth becomes much less certain.
Kendre Miller and Audric Estime are among the backs competing for opportunities, but injuries have already affected the group's continuity. Neal, for example, suffered another hamstring injury during the loss to the Rams.
GettyMETAIRIE, LOUISIANA – AUGUST 13: Travis Etienne Jr. #3 of the New Orleans Saints participates in drills during a joint practice at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on August 13, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
The Saints entered the preseason with a new running back in Travis Etienne to pair with Alvin Kamara. Hope for a productive backfield. Now the injury bug is clouding that hope.
For Chandler, the injury is particularly frustrating after joining New Orleans. His 2025 season started this way as he missed most of the year with a knee injury. He returned late in the season for Minnesota before signing with the Saints this offseason.
Now New Orleans may have to turn to Etienne and a collection of unproven young backs to rely on until Kamara is healthy. With the regular season approaching, the Saints will continue to evaluate their depth chart. The Saints recently signed Zamir White , formerly of the Raiders , to improve their depth after the injury to Chandler. With Trey Benson released from the Cardinals , he could be another name to watch.
One thing is becoming increasingly clear: this is no longer a deep running back room. The first couple games in 2026 will be a challenge. injuries to Kamara, Chandler and Neal have turned a strength into a concern.
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