Saints' roster moves may suggest good news for Travis Etienne Jr.

The latest New Orleans Saints roster moves could signal good news for Travis Etienne Jr. Last week, we saw the Saints release a wide receiver from their practice squad just before activating first-round pick Jordyn Tyson from injured reserve. Etienne is eligible to come off of injured reserve, too, and the Saints just let one of their practice squad running backs go. Those are some easy dots to connect, but nothing is official until the team says so.For now, here's what you need to know about each of the Saints' recent roster moves going into Week 10's game with the Carolina Panthers:RB Jarquez Hunter released from the practice squadHunter was signed after injuries hit the position hard, landing Etienne on injured reserve and sidelining CJ Donaldson for multiple weeks. He never got into a game while Zamir White was called up for Week 9's overtime win over the Carolina Panthers. Moving on from Hunter now seems to suggest Etienne will be back soon, leaving fewer snaps to go around at practice. Good luck to him in his next opportunity.TE Stone Smartt placed on practice squad IRSmartt played for Kellen Moore on the Philadelphia Eagles but wasn't called up for a game after reuniting in New Orleans. He suffered an injury at practice and will be sidelined, but that means the team can open a spot on the practice squad until he's able to return.TE Treyton Welch re-signed to the practice squadWelch has been a consistent part of the offense as a blocking tight end in five of the first eight games, and the Saints obviously want to keep him around. He also has been on the field for 47 snaps on special teams, mostly with the kick return and punt coverage units.TE Matt Lauter signed to the practice squadHere's a new face. Lauter played college football at Boise State and signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as a rookie free agent, but ended up with the Minnesota Vikings by the end of the preseason. He's an experienced run blocker (1,175 snaps in that role in college) with some receiving ability (nine touchdown catches in his last two years). Let's see what he's got.This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints' roster moves may suggest good news for Travis Etienne Jr.