Ulysses Bentley IV joined the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad on October 1, 2026, after the team placed running back Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve. The move gives New Orleans another backfield option, but it does not mean Bentley has been promoted to the active roster or is set to play.
What the Saints announced
New Orleans announced that it signed Bentley and edge rusher David Ojabo to the practice squad, promoted wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. from the practice squad to the active roster, and placed Etienne on injured reserve. The Saints’ October 1 transaction announcement identifies Bentley as a 5-foot-10, 200-pound running back from Mississippi.
Why New Orleans added Bentley
Etienne’s injured-reserve placement created a need for backfield depth. Bentley’s practice-squad signing gives the Saints another option as they manage the position, but the transaction alone does not establish a role in a game.
In its report on the running-back group ahead of Atlanta, the team listed Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, CJ Donaldson, practice-squad back Zamir White, and Bentley among the backs available. Coach Kellen Moore said, “I think Alvin and Kendre will handle that load really well.” The team report also described Donaldson as having found a specific role.
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- Engineered and constructed to replicate the game day Pro-Cut jersey
- NFL jock tag applied above left hem
- NFL patch sewn onto bottom of front collar
- Printed player name and number
Is Bentley on the active roster?
No active-roster promotion is established by the October 1 announcement. It confirms a practice-squad signing, not an elevation for a game or a projection of playing time. RotoWire’s transaction summary also reported the practice-squad addition in connection with Etienne’s injured-reserve placement.
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The Saints say Indianapolis signed Bentley after the 2025 NFL Draft. He spent parts of two seasons on the Colts’ practice squad and appeared in one game as a rookie, according to the club’s announcement.
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- Engineered and constructed to replicate the game day Pro-Cut jersey
- NFL jock tag applied above left hem
- NFL patch sewn onto bottom of front collar
- Printed player name and number
The Saints’ published college figures say Bentley played three seasons at SMU from 2019 to 2021 and three at Ole Miss from 2022 to 2024. For his final three Ole Miss seasons, the team lists 195 carries for 1,032 yards (5.3 yards per carry) and 13 rushing touchdowns, along with 25 receptions for 190 yards and one receiving touchdown, and 14 kickoff returns for 272 yards.
For 2024 specifically, the Saints list 84 carries for 419 yards (5.0 yards per carry) and five rushing touchdowns, plus 13 catches for 99 yards. These are figures published by the team in its October 1, 2026 announcement.
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