By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS — After missing the first five games of the season with a hamstring injury, New Orleans Saints second-year running back Kendre Miller is expected to be activated for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The news was first reported by FOX NFL Insider Jordan Schultz.
Miller missed all of training camp with the hamstring injury which he suffered the first day of practices in Irvine, Calif. He then went on Injured Reserve to start the season, missing the first four weeks of both games and practices. The Saints activated his practice window ahead of their Week 5 matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, but now it looks like Miller will make his season debut this weekend.
The 2023 third-round running back has had an embattled start to his career in New Orleans due to injuries. He missed the majority of last season and was publicly challenged by Saints head coach Dennis Allen after his latest injury set in. But it looks like he’s ready to answer the call.
It seems reasonable to expect Miller to only be used sparingly this week. Part of his return timeline was about much more than just the initial injury. Miller needed to learn the new offensive system while off the field, but never got to show that he’d learned it until getting involved in practices. Beyond that, conditioning had to be done to get him ready for game speed.
While he may not be overly involved this weekend, it is a great sign for the Saints to have another option in the running back. The one-two punch of running back Alvin Kamara and do-it-all weapon Taysom Hill has been great, but Hill is again out with injury. Perhaps Miller can provide some of the change-of-pace that can benefit the Saints’ run game along with Kamara and Jamaal Williams.
Especially with New Orleans starting rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler Sunday, having an expansive and effective run game would go a long way.
