New Orleans Saints sign former Denver Broncos running back after Kendre Miller injury
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.
49ers DC Robert Saleh Gives Blunt Response to Head Coaching Rumors
The San Francisco 49ers boast an opportunistic defense and a high powered offense led by a surprising QB, Mac Jones, heading into Sunday's 1 p.m. ET matchup with the Houston Texans in Houston.
The 49ers' defense is coached by former Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who is known throughout NFL circles as one of the brightest defensive minds in the game.
Saleh, a native of Michigan, has been linked to college football head coaching jobs recently during an NFL season that is still in full swing.
On Thursday, Saleh's was asked about the rumors and gave a blunt, forward thinking response.
Saleh Shifts Focus From Head Coach Reports
Saleh wasn't in the mood to talk about hypothetical future coaching positions as he shut down a reporter's question quickly.
"Some fans have already started preparing themselves mentally for your next head coaching opportunity," one reporter said to Saleh before asking if a head coaching job is his "end game."
"End game is trying to find a win on Sunday," Saleh said. "We'll go from there," he added before abruptly walking away from the podium.
Defensive Starters Give it a Go at Practice
The 49ers received positive news on starting defensive players this week as cornerbacks Upton Stout and Renardo Green were both limited but participated in Wednesday's session.
Stout missed the 49ers' win over the Falcons due to an ankle injury. Green played through a neck injury but suffered a toe injury.
Defensive back Deommodore Lenoir's lingering quad injury has heightened the urgency surrounding Stout and Green's potential return against a CJ Stroud led passing attack that is talented enough to give any NFL defense problems.
49ers Preparing for Challenging Game
The 49ers are slight favorites heading into Sunday's game despite tough-luck injuries including one to QB Brock Purdy that has called his status for the game into question.
Purdy is battling a turf toe problem that has kept him out since September 28 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and has played in just two games this season.
The 49ers' star players including Trent Williams and Christian McCaffrey give coach Kyle Shanahan's team enough firepower to compete with and beat anyone leaguewide but Sunday's game is a different kind of test with major playoff implications in both conferences riding on it.
