By Ross Jackson
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Ahead of their Week 14 game at the New York Giants, the New Orleans Saints have announced their final roster moves ahead of the contest. The headline circulating one young running back that’s eager to prove himself.
Here are the roster moves the team announced Saturday afternoon:
– RB Kendre Miller has been activated.
– WRs Kevin Austin Jr. and Dante Pettis have been signed to the active roster.
– G Nick Saldiveri has been placed on Injured Reserve.
– OL Kyle Hergel has been waived.
– DL Tanoh Kpassagnon was downgraded to Out.
The team also announced Friday evening that it had placed do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill on Injured Reserve as well. The two injury list moves and the waiving of Hergel opened up the three roster spots that have been filled by Miller, Austin and Pettis.
Miller has had a tumultuous 2024 thus far. He suffered an injury on the first day of training camp that led to an extended absence. He was then placed on Injured Reserve a second time following the Los Angeles Chargers game after aggravating his hamstring injury again.
The move was one that ream sources said was met with confusion and frustration throughout the facility, but not necessarily in the direction of Miller who Interim head coach Darren Rizzi admitted has likely been healthy enough to return over the last couple of weeks. But the injury designation forced a four-game absence for the TCU product.
Of course, placing Miller on the list was not a Rizzi decision. Now that Miller is available and “out of the doghouse”, the Saints and he are looking forward to showing what he’s got on the field. They’ll need his contributions between the tackles specifically. The Giants allow the league’s second-most rushing yards per game on inside runs. With Hill out for the remainder of the season, Miller is set to be a valuable complement to star running back Alvin Kamara.
Kpassgnon is likely to make his return next week against the Washington Commanders, a game in which the Saints will desperately need the help on the defensive line to help contain the run and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Austin and Pettis have been consistent contributors from the practice squad. With all three of their standard elevations used, it’s no surprise to see them signed to the active roster and set to help lead the position along with wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Santling for the rest of the year. Rookie wide receiver Bub Means could make his way back in the coming weeks as well.
