CJ Donaldson - NFL News, Rumors, & Updates

Saints enter a pivotal 'self-scout' week as they try to avoid a 6th straight non-playoff season

The New Orleans Saints had the look of a team that could use a break even before their long flight back from France

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Rodgers throws TD pass in Paris as Steelers beat Saints 16-10 in NFL's regular-season France debut

Aaron Rodgers threw one touchdown pass and Chris Boswell kicked three field goals in Pittsburgh’s 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Fr...

4 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Won't return in Paris 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.

Impact 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.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Exits with shoulder injury Donaldson (shoulder) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Steelers in Paris.

Impact 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.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Full participant Thursday Donaldson (shoulder) practiced without limitations Thursday.

Impact 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.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Limited practice Wednesday Donaldson (shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN reports.

Impact 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).

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Rushing TD reversed in Week 6 win Donaldson logged six carries for 39 yards and lost a fumble during the Saints' 34-27 win over the Giants on Sunday. He also recorded three tackles (one solo) on special teams.

Impact It appeared as though Donaldson found the end zone on a one-yard carry midway through the third quarter for what would have been the first touchdown of his NFL career. Unfortunately for the undrafted rookie, the call on the field was reversed, so it was quarterback Tyler Shough who snuck in for the touchdown on the next play. Donaldson proceeded to lose a fumble in the fourth quarter -- leading to a Giants touchdown six plays later -- and he didn't log another carry after that. Travis Etienne (hamstring, IR) has been sidelined for each of the Saints' last three games, and during that span, Donaldson has operated as the team's RB3 behind Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller. The Saints will travel to Paris for a Week 7 tilt against the Steelers on Oct. 25.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Saints look to take skid-ending effort at Giants overseas

The New Orleans Saints have arrived in Paris with a more positive outlook

OCTOBER 19 • Associated Press

Sees extra work in garbage time 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...

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

CJ Donaldson on his role, pass blocking | Saints vs. Falcons 2026 NFL Week 4

OCTOBER 1 • YOUTUBE

CJ Donaldson on his role, pass blocking | Saints vs. Falcons 2026 NFL Week 4 New Orleans Saints running back CJ Donaldson speaks with the media from the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Thursday, October 1, 2026 a...

OCTOBER 1 • NEWORLEANSSAINTS.COM

Saints placing running back Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve

New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Moore says running back Travis Etienne Jr. is being placed on injured reserve

OCTOBER 1 • Associated Press

Signed to New Orleans' active roster The Saints signed Donaldson from the practice squad to the active roster Friday.

Impact 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.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Saints announce roster moves Shift4 Transaction Alert: Saints sign RB CJ Donaldson to active roster, LS Scott Daly to practice squad

SEPTEMBER 18 • NEWORLEANSSAINTS.COM

Reverts to practice squad Donaldson reverted to the Saints' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Impact The running back was elevated for New Orleans' 31-30 loss to Detroit with Alvin Kamara (knee) and Audric Estime (thigh) both 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 -2 yards. The Ohio State product also played 20 snaps on special teams.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Elevated for Sunday The Saints elevated Donaldson from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions, Ross Jackson of WWL Louisiana reports.

Impact Donaldson signed with the Saints' practice squad on Sept. 2 after being a casualty of the team's Aug. 30 cuts. The running back will fill in for Audric Estime (thigh) as a reserve option behind Travis Etienne, Alvin Kamara (knee), and Kendre Miller while Estime recovers from his thigh issue on IR.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Saints rookie RB CJ Donaldson gets first NFL call-up In the wake of Audric Estime's injury, the New Orleans Saints would elevate UDFA CJ Donaldson from the practice squad.

SEPTEMBER 12 • WHODATDISH.COM

Signs onto Saints' practice squad New Orleans signed Donaldson to its practice squad Monday.

Impact Donaldson cleared waivers after getting cut by the Saints on Sunday, but 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.

SEPTEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Zach Wilson avoids pressure and finds CJ Donaldson | Saints-Cowboys Highlights | 2026 NFL Preseason Week 3 New Orleans Saints quarterback Zach Wilson avoids pressure and finds CJ Donaldson on the conversion against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3 of...

AUGUST 29 • NEWORLEANSSAINTS.COM

Saints may have discovered another Swiss Army Knife to replace Taysom Hill The Saints signed CJ Donaldson as a UDFA, but it's not just his skill in the backfield that the team likes.

MAY 1 • WHODATDISH.COM

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Saints enter a pivotal 'self-scout' week as they try to avoid a 6th straight non-playoff season

Rodgers throws TD pass in Paris as Steelers beat Saints 16-10 in NFL's regular-season France debut

Saints look to take skid-ending effort at Giants overseas

Saints placing running back Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve