The New Orleans Saints bolstered their running back room on Tuesday by claiming Audric Estime off waivers from the Cleveland Browns, reuniting the former Notre Dame standout with the franchise after an earlier stint in 2025 and early 2026.
The move came as part of a series of roster transactions that also included terminating the contract of kicker Daniel Carlson.
Estime, a fifth-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2024, spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings practice squads before joining Cleveland earlier this season.
In his lone appearance with the Browns, he carried nine times for 19 yards and scored a touchdown in a win over the Baltimore Ravens.
His return to New Orleans addresses depth needs in a backfield that has dealt with injuries.
Travis Etienne Jr. has been on injured reserve with a hamstring issue, elevating the workload for veterans like Alvin Kamara alongside options such as Kendre Miller.
Estime previously showed flashes with the Saints, including productive late-season work in 2025, before an injury settlement led to his release and subsequent journey through other teams.
At Notre Dame, Estime left a lasting mark on the program’s record books during his three seasons with the Fighting Irish. In 2023, as a junior, he rushed for 1,341 yards on 210 carries while scoring 18 touchdowns.
Those 18 scores established a new single-season Notre Dame record, surpassing the previous mark of 17 shared by Allen Pinkett in 1984 and Vagas Ferguson in 1979.
His yardage total ranked as the fifth-highest single-season rushing mark in school history.
Over his career, Estime finished with 2,321 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, placing him 11th all-time in program rushing yards and seventh in rushing scores.
He capped his collegiate tenure with a standout performance against Stanford, rushing for 238 yards and four touchdowns in a 56-23 victory.
The 23-year-old power back, listed at 5-foot-11 and 227 pounds, brings a physical running style that the Saints hope can complement their existing options as they look to improve a ground game that has struggled for consistency.
With the season still offering opportunities for roster adjustments and Etienne’s potential return on the horizon, Estime’s addition provides immediate depth and a familiar presence in the locker room.
His journey from South Bend through multiple NFL stops and back to the Saints underscores the fluid nature of roster building in the modern league, where proven college producers can find renewed roles when injuries create openings.
