Help is on the way at running back. Tuesday’s update to the daily NFL transactions wire included a couple of moves for the New Orleans Saints, with the new addition being Audric Estime. Just 22 years old, the former Denver Broncos fifth-round draft pick (out of Notre Dame) was waived in August and initially signed with the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad. Philly released him on Oct. 14, and now he’s joining the Saints’ practice squad.
Estime’s arrival is one of several different moves. He’s taking the place of veteran backup Velus Jones Jr., who was promoted from the Saints’ practice squad to the 53-man roster. In turn, the team placed both running back Kendre Miller and center Erik McCoy on injured reserve. They’re both out for the season after suffering a torn ACL and biceps injury against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, respectively.
A bruising runner at 5-foot-11 and 221 pounds, Estime was known for his big-play potential at Notre Dame but timed poorly in pre-draft workouts, improving his laser-timed 4.71 time in the 40-yard dash to just 4.58 seconds at his pro day. Estime appeared in 13 games for Denver last year, rushing 76 times for 310 yards (4.1 yards per carry) and scoring two touchdowns. He also caught five passes for 27 yards, but fumbled twice. Sean Payton values depth at running back but Estime was pushed down in the rotation after a couple of new faces joined the rotation. He’ll need to protect the ball and pick up the offense quickly in New Orleans to make an impact.
