Jun 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) runs running back drills during minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
METAIRIE, La. – Of all the players that stand to benefit from the team’s offseason changes, perhaps none is greater than Kendre Miller
The explosive TCU product was a third-round draft pick of the Saints back in 2023. As he enters his third season, he may be in the best position that he’s been in since being drafted, a sentiment that he himself believes to be true.
“I was definitely like, ‘This is what I ran at TCU,’” Miller said following Sunday’s training camp practice. “I feel very comfortable in the offense.”
It makes sense. Miller went from being a dynamic, breakaway rusher in between the tackles to eventually being a part of an offense that ran the ball outside of the tackles at a league leading clip of 69.8% last year. Compare that to head coach Kellen Moore’s Philadelphia Eagles offense, which was a lot more balanced.
Eagles 2024 Rushing Direction (Inside/Outside)
Inside the Tackles: 48.5% (No. 12)
Outside the Tackles: 47% (No. 21)
Miller’s Health Better Than Ever
The biggest story around Miller’s NFL career thus far has very little to do with a lack of talent. His ability to run with physicality, pick up yards after contact and produce in the passing game have all been unmistakably showcased when he’s had his opportunities on the field. The concerns have all been related to health.
Miller was on Injured Reserve twice last year and missed the final game of the season with a concussion. His second IR appointment became a point of contention. This year, Miller would like to avoid all of the noise by simply staying healthy and available. Something he feels he’s well on the way to achieving with the team’s new approach to pre-hab, rehab and post-practice recovery.
“I feel normal now, finally,” the running back said. “This is the most healthy I’ve ever been since I’ve been in the NFL. It’s just kind of been a sped up process ever since I’ve been here. So, I never was 100% all the way. But I put in some work in the offseason and got my body back right and I feel great now.”
Saints’ New Recovery Plan
In addition to Miller, Saints center Erik McCoy also joined the media following practice and highlighted something new and unique about the team’s schedule. McCoy said that after practice, which wrapped up at around 11 a.m. local time, the players had until about 1:30 p.m. for recovery.
It feels like such an obvious way to schedule out the day. Work hard, recover and reconvene for daily practice review sessions and eventually re-take the field for a lighter walkthrough. But what is obvious isn’t always understood. From the outside, Moore and his staff have shown a level of understanding and consideration to the player experience that was perhaps missing in recent years.
That alone is something that could go a long way for Miller and players like him that have battled recent injuries.
Miller Knows He Can be Impactful
Last year, Miller was given extended reps during the Week 14 victory over the New York Giants. During that game he saw 10 carries (third-most in a single game during his NFL career so far) for 32 rushing yards and an impressive rushing touchdown.
Kendre Miller ain’t going down. TD for 25
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/4ILIHREgYE
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 8, 2024
After that game, it was easy to hear the relief in Miller’s voice. He revisited that early-December game on Sunday as a lightning rod for his offseason process and continued drive to be back on the field as a key contributor.
“After the Giants game,” Miller said. “It was just like, ‘I can still play football.’ Going through treatment every day and rehab… I’m here to play football. Just to get back out there and see what I could still do, it’s just encouraging. (That game) was just a reminder to me in my head, I’m still who I was.”
