CJ Donaldson
CJ Donaldson is an undrafted rookie who works as a rotational back and pass protector behind a thinned-out Saints backfield, not as a lead back.
Role
Louisiana Sports (Oct 10) described him as the third-down back and extra blocker in passing situations. It cited PFF for 37.3% of his offensive snaps through four games coming in pass protection. In the Week 4 Falcons game he had 28 offensive snaps, tied with Alvin Kamara for the most among Saints backs, with Kendre Miller at 19 (Fox Sports/RotoWire note). Travis Etienne Jr. was placed on injured reserve, per a Fox Sports item, and I did not find the date. Kamara and Miller are the other backs in the room. Through Week 5 ESPN showed him at 11 carries and 4 catches. The Week 6 wire note has him at 6 carries for 39 yards with a lost fumble, plus special teams tackles. I did not find a current snap share for Week 6 or a depth chart reading.
He is a 230-pound back with touchdown equity near the goal line (PFN, via Yahoo). The Saints trust him in pass protection, and PFF credited him with only three pressures allowed on those snaps. Fox noted he was more efficient with his touches than Kamara or Miller in Week 4. Etienne's absence has opened snaps for him.
Fox said it's hard to see him as the lead back for the foreseeable future. Most of his Week 4 production came on the final drive of a game that was already out of reach. His career line through Week 5 was 3.8 yards per carry, and his Week 6 fumble could cost him trust. Kamara and Miller are both ahead of him in the room.
Where analysts split
The open question is whether his blocking role grows into real carries and touches, or stays a protection and special teams job. Fox saw a bigger role only if coach Kellen Moore keeps trusting him in protection. PFN's view was a handful of touches with goal-line upside. I found no source arguing he will lead the backfield.
Injury: Out: assessed real
Shoulder injury, left Week 8 game, questionable return
He left the Oct 25 game vs Steelers for shoulder testing and was ruled questionable to return; the expected return date of Nov 8 suggests he could miss time beyond that game, and Kamara/Miller would absorb his passing-down role if he sits.
What would change this: Practice participation report and any update on test results or whether he's cleared for the next game.
Research confidence: thin. Outlooks are grounded in web search over current reporting and refreshed through the season.
Others at RB
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