On the Friday before the first game of the year, the New Orleans Saints announced that running back Audric Estime would not be seen on the field in Detroit. Later that same day, NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill reported the team would elevate UDFA CJ Donaldson from the practice squad.
It's a huge opportunity for the former Buckeye. He could show that the sparks he showed in the preseason and throughout the offseason weren't just a fluke and that he can hold his own on an NFL field. On Sunday, Donaldson could even show that the RB4 spot should be his, and not Estime's.
CJ Donaldson for 32 yards#Saints | 📺: FOX-8 pic.twitter.com/SdyNcyuzwr
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 22, 2026
As a member of the practice squad, Saints RB CJ Donaldson only gets so many opportunities
It's a good thing that the Saints have the depth available to adapt to an unexpected injury like Audric Estime's. However, they can only elevate a player from the practice squad three times before the move has to become permanent. The Saints will have to hope that Estime doesn't stay hurt that long, lest they risk some roster shuffling.
Unfortunately for the team and the player himself, there's a big question mark surrounding Estime's recovery timeline. There's really not much known right now on when he'll be back in action, but given the fact that he was absent throughout this week's practices, it might not be anytime soon.
But what's one man's loss is another man's gain, and Donaldson could very well get those two additional opportunities if it lasts for another game or two. Good news for him, but also good news for another running back on the practice squad.
Zamir White, who the Saints traded for last month, is also on the practice squad. A very recent addition to the team, the former Raider could very well be called up instead of Donaldson once he's comfortable with the playbook. This Sunday in the Motor City could very well be Donaldson's only shot this year to make the 53-man roster, number of elevations aside.
It'll be tough, because as the RB4, he won't get a ton of snaps. The only action he'll see is likely to be on special teams, barring another unexpected injury. But if Donaldson can once again show the sparks that he showed in the offseason and preseason games, then there's no reason that he won't be called up the next time a spare running back is needed.
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