The New Orleans Saints’ rushing attack has been so ineffective without Travis Etienne that it is fair to wonder whether the offense would look much better even if he were healthy.
With Etienne currently on injured reserve due to a hamstring strain, the Saints have been left without one of their most explosive playmaker’s and the focal point of their rushing attack. His absence has been extremely noticeable, but Sunday’s performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris showed just how serious New Orleans’ problems have become. The Saints managed a measly 18 total rushing yards (five from Alvin Kamara, six from Kendre Miller and seven from Tyler Shough), an unacceptable performance for an NFL offense.
Advertisement
Losing a productive tailback can certainly hurt an offense, but the Saints’ struggles go beyond simply missing one player. When a team cannot consistently move the ball on the ground, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep defenses honest and take pressure off the passing game and Tyler Shough.
Etienne, who is eligible to return Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns, could provide a much-needed boost to a struggling operation. His return will add that explosiveness and home-run play ability to a backfield that desperately needs both. However, expecting one player to completely transform an offense that has struggled this badly would be asking a lot.
The offensive line also has to be part of the conversation. If New Orleans can’t improve their blocking up front and establish a more effective ground game as a unit, Etienne could face many of the same challenges when he returns.
The Saints can’t afford to keep having performances like Sunday’s against. Eighteen rushing yards is not going to cut it, regardless of who is carrying the football.
Advertisement
Etienne’s eventual return should help, but it shouldn’t become an excuse for the team’s broader problems. New Orleans needs to figure out why the game has been so ineffective and make the necessary adjustments before expecting one injured player to provide all the answers.
Until then, it is difficult to feel confident that Etienne alone would be enough to turn things around.
Do you think that Etienne’s return could make a different?
