Trevor Etienne begins 2026 on injured reserve after logging an empty 20-carry, 94-yard rookie season, further boosting confidence in Jonathon Brooks. His 18.0-percent College Dominator Rating (33rd percentile) profile as an undersized specialist rather than a workload commander. Carolina will roll with AJ Dillon as the team’s RB3.

Day 3 picks getting stashed on Injured Reserve is never a good sign. Expect a fringe role in Carolina’s backfield even once he returns, leaving him strictly off the redraft radar. Etienne also loses fantasy football dynasty stash appeal with this unfortunate move.