Donaldson (shoulder) has been ruled out for the rest of Sunday's game against the Steelers in Paris, Jeff Nowak of The Big 870 New Orleans reports.
Donaldson sustained a shoulder injury during the first quarter of Sunday's game, and the injury is severe enough for him to be sidelined for the rest of the contest. Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller will be the Saints' two remaining running backs the rest of the way in Donaldson's absence.
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Saints' CJ Donaldson: Exits with shoulder injury
Rotowire
Donaldson (shoulder) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Steelers in Paris.
Donaldson picked up the injury during the first quarter and has been taken to the locker room to undergo more tests on his shoulder injury. Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller would be the remaining, healthy running backs on the Saints active roster for the rest of Sunday's game if Donaldson is not cleared to return.
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Saints' CJ Donaldson: Full participant Thursday
Rotowire
Donaldson (shoulder) practiced without limitations Thursday.
Donaldson upgraded to full participation Thursday while Alvin Kamara (back) was limited for a second consecutive practice. Heading into Sunday's overseas showdown against the Steelers, Donaldson has been working as the Saints' third option in the backfield behind Kamara and Kendre Miller while Travis Etienne (hamstring) is on IR. Donaldson has accumulated 82 scrimmage yards on 16 touches over the past three games.
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Saints' CJ Donaldson: Limited practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Donaldson (shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN reports.
Fellow RB Alvin Kamara (back) also logged a limited session Wednesday, with added context regarding the duo's Week 7 status slated to arrive via Thursday's practice report. In the Saints' 34-27 win over the Giants in Week 6, Donaldson recorded six carries for 39 yards and lost a fumble while working alongside Kamara (seven carries for 34 yards and two catches for 35 yards with a TD) as well as Kendre Miller (20 carries for 70 yards).
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Saints' CJ Donaldson: Sees extra work in garbage time
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Donaldson logged three carries for 18 yards and caught both of his targets for five yards during the Saints' 45-24 loss to the Falcons on Monday. He also added a tackle on special teams.
All of Donaldson's offensive production came on the Saints' final drive of the contest, when the game was already well out of reach. His 28 offensive snaps ended up being tied with Alvin Kamara for most among Saints running backs, with Kendre Miller (19) not far behind. Donaldson was more efficient with his touches than both Kamara and Miller, but for as much as the Saints' run game struggled in the absence of Travis Etienne (hamstring), it's hard to envision Donaldson as the lead back in New Orleans for the foreseeable future. That said, if Donaldson is trusted by head coach Kellen Moore as a backfield blocker on pass protection, then he could operate in an elevated role in Week 5 against the Vikings and their blitz-happy defense under defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
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Saints' CJ Donaldson: Signed to New Orleans' active roster
Rotowire
The Saints signed Donaldson from the practice squad to the active roster Friday.
Donaldson will join a Saints backfield that is led by Travis Etienne, with Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller providing depth at the position. Kamara didn't play in the Saints' Week 1 overtime loss to the Lions, with Donaldson being elevated from the practice squad and logging two carries for four yards and one catch for minus-2 yards. Kamara is available for Sunday's game against the Ravens, so Donaldson figures to see most of his playing time on special teams rather than on offense.
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CJ Donaldson: Reverts to practice squad
Rotowire
Donaldson reverted to the Saints' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.
The running back was elevated for New Orleans' 31-30 overtime loss to Detroit due to both Alvin Kamara (knee) and Audric Estime (thigh) being out. Donaldson played a third-string role behind Travis Etienne and Kendre Miller, seeing 15 offensive snaps and recording two carries for four yards and one catch for minus-2 yards. The Ohio State product also played 20 snaps on special teams.
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CJ Donaldson: Signs onto Saints' practice squad
Rotowire
New Orleans signed Donaldson to its practice squad Monday.
Donaldson cleared waivers after getting cut by the Saints on Sunday, and now he's back with the club as a practice squadder. The undrafted rookie will have to wait to be elevated to potentially make his regular-season debut in 2026.
